Stroke victim stranded in Antarctica rescued

“Stranded American researcher evacuated from South Pole

By Karen Smith, CNN

October 17, 2011 -- Updated 1249 GMT (2049 HKT)

 (CNN) -- After weeks of waiting, an American researcher who suffered a suspected stroke while working at the South Pole has arrived in New Zealand for evaluation and treatment.

Renee-Nicole Douceur, 58, said in an interview on the "Early Show" on CBS that she was "feeling elated" to be off the Amundsen-Scott research station in Antarctica and in a hospital for an MRI and other tests she said she hopes will reveal the cause of her vision, speech and other difficulties.

Douceur fell ill on August 27. She had been unable to leave to receive treatment, due to bad weather and storms that prevent planes from landing during the region's winter period.

Douceur said she flew to New Zealand on a U.S. Air Force C-17.

The New Hampshire woman flew to McMurdo Station in Antarctica and then to Christchurch, New Zealand.

Last week, Douceur told CNN she had been pleading for a rescue evacuation flight since her initial stroke but her request was denied.

Raytheon Polar Services -- the company that runs the station for the National Science Foundation -- deemed it too dangerous to send an air rescue crew in, she said.”