A fistfight at an American station at the South Pole which erupted over a woman resulted to the sacking of an Antarctic base worker on top of $90,000 medical bill.

According to reports by the Daily Telegraph, the fracas, which happened at America's Amundsen-Scott station, may been caused by a heated discussion over a woman although authorities were not discounting the fact it might have also been caused by alcohol and cabin fever resulting from Antarctica's biting cold.

Cabin fever is more of a problem in winter when personnel have to endure total darkness 24 hours a day.

The pair who figured in the altercation were employed by Raytheon Polar Services, which provides back-up services for the base's scientists.

According to the reports, the victim sustained a broken jaw after being punched in the face by his assailant.

With base medical personnel failing to treat his injuries due to lack of enough facilities, the pair had to be flown to Christchurch, New Zealand, on Christmas Day aboard a USAF Hercules scrambled from another US base at an estimated cost of $90,000.

Dr. Karl Erb, head of the U.S. Antarctic program, confirmed the immediate termination of one of the employees.

"The assailant has been removed from Antarctica and his contract terminated by his employer," Erb said. "Such behaviour has no place whatsoever in the U.S. Antarctic program."