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Rotor Work
11th Jan 2016, 21:27
From ABC

Antarctic helicopter pilot injured in crevasse fall - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-12/antarctic-helicopter-pilot-injured-in-crevasse-fall/7082802)

Antarctic helicopter pilot injured in crevasse fall
Updated 17 minutes ago

Davis Research Station, Antarctica
PHOTO: The pilot has been transferred to the Davis Research Station. (Justin Chambers/Australian Antarctic Division)
MAP: Antarctica
A helicopter pilot has been injured after an accident in Australian territory in Antarctica.

The pilot fell down a crevasse while refuelling a chopper.

It is understood the incident happened overnight.

It is not yet known how badly the pilot has been injured.

He was transferred to the Davis Station.

The Australian Antarctic Division has been contacted for comment.

More to come.


Update from the Mercury

http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/australian-medial-crew-at-davis-station-work-on-critically-injured-chopper-pilot/news-story/f9ceb99c0e8074b0db18b992c205827b

rotornut
12th Jan 2016, 14:30
Helicopter pilot David Wood from Canada dies in Antarctic - Canada - CBC News (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/antarctic-helicopter-pilot-death-1.3399848)

twinstar_ca
12th Jan 2016, 14:58
sincere condolences to family and friends... :( :(

alouette
12th Jan 2016, 16:17
According to the CBC website, he passed away. RIP

Rotor Work
12th Jan 2016, 20:14
From ABC
Sad news indeed RIP David
Thinking of his family, friends & work colleagues at this time.

Antarctic helicopter pilot dies of injuries after crevasse fall - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-12/antarctic-helicopter-pilot-dies-after-crevasse-fall/7084884)

newfieboy
12th Jan 2016, 20:22
RIP Dave. Condolences to family and friends.

newfieboy
12th Jan 2016, 20:27
RIP Dave. Had some great times on fires. Another fine gentleman aviator gone. Condolences to family and friends.

Vertical Freedom
13th Jan 2016, 01:38
Rest in Peace 🙏🏾

cattletruck
19th Jan 2016, 09:52
One of our staff just returned from working in Antarctica and related the story. Very sad indeed. Take extra care folks, and RIP Dave.

Rotor Work
19th Sep 2017, 09:27
Update from ABC
The inquest has begun.

David Wood inquest: Death of helicopter pilot who fell into Antarctic crevasse to be examined - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-19/inquest-into-death-of-antarctica-pilot-david-wood/8960112)

Fun Police
19th Sep 2017, 10:45
this is sad news indeed. RIP
fp

21st Sep 2017, 07:24
And 4 hours, if properly kitted out, should be quite survivable even in those conditions.

However, without knowing how he was orientated in the crevasse, it might be the recovery that did for him. If he was horizontal, with the warm blood tending to pool in his core due to the cold and shock, pulling him out vertically could drain that warm blood to his legs. The same problem can occur with water rescues.

TeeS
21st Sep 2017, 11:51
Hi Crab, I don't have any SAR experience but I always understood that it was the sudden loss of hydrostatic forces compressing the lower body that caused a rapid drop in BP when lifted vertically. More than happy to be corrected.
Cheers
TeeS

21st Sep 2017, 12:16
Tees, yes you are correct, the squeeze on the legs keeps the warm blood in the core. Not sure if the BP dropping is an additional factor but taking the warm blood away from the core definitely is.

The same thing could happen if lifting a cold casualty from horizontal to vertical - not saying that's what happened in this case but he was conscious when help arrived yet died after rescue.

TeeS
21st Sep 2017, 12:24
Thanks Crab, that makes sense.

TeeS

Bull at a Gate
21st Dec 2017, 20:00
Prosecutions started

David Wood death in Antarctica: government department, contractor charged (http://www.smh.com.au/act-news/federal-government-contractor-charged-after-death-of-david-wood-in-antarctica-20171221-h08mcl.html)