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6 Oct 2009

Mr Johann Jamneck, a young meteorologist tragically died in a climbing accident at the South African Antarctic Station, South African National Antarctic Expedition (SANAE) on 4 October 2009. Team members were practicing their crevasse rescue techniques, the descending or ascending on a rope, setting up a pulley system to hoist somebody up, when the accident happened.

He left Cape Town on 23 December 2008 on board the South African Agulhas as part of the 48th Antarctic over wintering team. He spent a year on Marion Island (2007) as the resident meteorologist and enjoyed it so much that he immediately applied for meteorologist position on the Antarctic expedition.

He was 25 years old and a graduate of the Northwest University. He was due to return only in February 2010. Since Antarctica is not very accessible this time of the year, the earliest opportunity to return the body of Johann to South Africa is early in November 2009, using a charter flight.

The Directorate Antarctica and Islands of the Department of Environmental Affairs, responsible for the logistic operations of the South African National Antarctic Programme, deeply regrets this incident. Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Buyelwa Sonjica, expresses her deepest sympathy with the family of Mr Jamneck.

For further information contact:
Henry Valentine
Director: Antarctica and Islands
Cell: 083 306 7084
E-mail: hvalentine@deat.gov.za

Zolile Nqayi
Director: Communications
Cell: 083 465 6581
E-mail: znqayi@deat.gov.za

Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs
6 October 2009
Source: Department of Environmental Affairs (http://www.deat.gov.za)

Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs
6 Oct 2009

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