He was later winched to safety in a critical condition and taken to Davis station’s medical facility, where an evacuation to mainland Australia was being considered for Wednesday, weather permitting.
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Officials say a helicopter pilot is in a critical condition at an Australian Antarctic base after falling into a crevasse.
The Australian government says the pilots had already dropped off their fuel barrels, and had just landed to retrieve the cables when the fall occurred.
After being unable to help the pilot who fell, the second pilot radio-contacted the Davis station and flew back to get help.
With more than 30 years’ experience under his belt and 16,000 hours in the pilot’s seat, Wood was accident-free.
The head of Australia’s Antarctic program Nick Gales said the exact nature of Mr Wood’s death was now the subject of a coronial inquiry.
Wood died later at Davis station. After disembarking Monday night, he fell into the crevasse. And when Wood travelled to Antarctica, they kept in touch over Skype.
Canadian media said Mr Wood lived most of the year in Manitoba where he worked as charter pilot and helped fight forest fires. Three specialist field training officers flew to the region and was able to rescue the pilot from the crevasse.
In the ’80s, he had a memorable job flying to lighthouses around Australia to change light bulbs.
Environment Minister Greg Hunt said Mr Wood was admired for his passion, dedication and professionalism. He said he keeps returning to the frigid continent because “it reminds me of the Canadian Prairies in winter”.
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Arden Meyer, general manager of Trans North Helicopters in Whitehorse, said Wood started in the business with his company.
