The
Polar First website diary has now been updated and states
Helicopter explorers Jennifer Murray and Colin Bodill crashed in Antarctica early this morning o_ne third of the way through their attempt to fly a helicopter around the world from Pole to Pole.
A signal was picked up from the beacon o_n Jennifer and Colin’s helicopter and the alarm was raised at about 1.00am UK time, 10.00pm local time. The accident happened 120 miles north of Patriot Hills o_n the northern section of the Ronne Ice Shelf. The pilots erected their tent and sheltered in the helicopter while they waited for the rescue team to arrive.
Colin Bodill sustained an injury in the accident typical of those received in high-impact crashes and there is concern about his wellbeing. Jennifer Murray has a broken arm. Colin is in a stable condition; he is safe, warm and under the care of a doctor.
The accident happened early this morning, as the pilots flew north from Patriot Hills in Antarctica o_n their way to South America o_n the latest stage of their flight. They were taken back to Patriot Hills by the rescue team and are awaiting a flight to Punta Arenas in Chile for medical treatment. The plane is due to arrive in Patriot Hills at 13.00 hours UK time, 10.00am local time.
Jennifer and Colin arrived at the South Pole o_n Wednesday in their Bell 407 helicopter, o_n the 100th anniversary of the first powered flight by the Wright brothers. They had just set off o_n the next leg of their journey, when the helicopter came down in bad weather conditions.