Injuries force Irish pair to abandon North Pole ice attempt

An Irish duo’s attempt to walk 779km to the North Pole has been abandoned after both were injured when a sled fell on them.

Clare O’Leary and Mike O’Shea began their LifeProof Ice expedition on March 7 at Cape Discovery in Northern Canada and were making a strong start, having covered 60km through extreme conditions and temperatures as low as minus 50 degrees celsius.

However, when they were attempting to lower Mike’s 80kg sled on Sunday, a large block of ice became dislodged and the sled fell on them injuring Mike’s back and Clare’s knee. A charter flight due to resupply them on St Patrick’s Day was able to land and bring them back to safety at Resolute in Northern Canada.