The bill for airlifting two belligerents from the US-run Amundsen-Scott South Pole station which on Xmas Day hosted some decidedly unseasonal fisticuffs is "at least" £45k, according to the Telegraph.

One of the men allegedly suffered a broken jaw during the punch-up, and was subsequently whisked to Christchurch Hospital in New Zealand. The second man was summarily returned to the US. Dr Karl Erb, head of the US Antarctic programme, elaborated: "The assailant has been removed from Antarctica and his contract terminated by his employer. Such behaviour has no place whatsoever in the US Antarctic programme."

The cause of the altercation between the two employees of Raytheon Polar Services is now thought to be a woman, although it may also have been exacerbated by "alcohol and cabin fever", the Telegraph notes. ®

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