A fracas at the South Pole has ended in the sacking of an Antarctic base worker and a £45,000 medical bill.
The altercation was allegedly over a woman but may also have been fuelled by alcohol and cabin fever caused by Antarctica's biting cold.
It happened at America's Amundsen-Scott station, where the pair were employed by Raytheon Polar Services, which provides back-up services for the base's scientists.
The victim was allegedly punched in the face and sustained a broken jaw.
His injuries were considered too serious to be treated in Antarctica and the pair were flown to Christchurch, New Zealand, on Christmas Day in a USAF Hercules scrambled from another US base at an estimated cost of £45,000.
Cabin fever is more a problem in winter as personnel have to endure total darkness 24 hours a day.
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