Explorer dies 30 miles from end of 943-mile solo crossing of Antarctic
Explorer Henry Worsley, who was on the brink of making Antarctic history with a solo crossing across the ice, has died, his family has announced.
The former British Army officer, 55, from Fulham, London, was 71 days in to his attempt to become the first adventurer to cross the continent completely unsupported and unassisted when he had to call for help and was airlifted off the ice on Friday.
His wife Joanna said in a statement: “It is with heartbroken sadness I let you know that my husband, Henry Worsley, has died following complete organ failure; despite all efforts of ALE and medical staff at the Clinica Magallanes in Punta Arenas, Chile.”
Battling temperatures of minus 44, tackling white-out blizzards and treacherous ice, the ex-lieutenant colonel had passed the South Pole - covering 913 miles and was a mere 30 miles from the finish.
After spending two days unable to move from his tent, the married father-of-two took the decision to pull out of the charity adventure after suffering from exhaustion and severe dehydration.
He was flown to a hospital in Punta Arenas where he was found to have bacterial peritonitis. He underwent surgery but died on Sunday in hospital.
Peritonitis occurs when the thin layer of tissue lining of the abdomen becomes infected. Symptoms can include swelling of the abdomen, vomiting, chills, lack of appetite and a high temperature. Complications include sepsis and septic shock.
In his final statement sent from Antarctica, Lt Col Worsley described how his desire to help wounded soldiers with their rehabilitation was the central focus of his expedition.
“Having been a career soldier for 36 years and recently retired, it has been a way of giving back to those far less fortunate than me,” he said.
He described his sadness at having to pull out so close to completing the challenge.
“The 71 days alone on the Antarctic with over 900 statute miles covered and a gradual grinding down of my physical endurance finally took its toll today, and it is with sadness that I report it is journey’s end – so close to my goal,” he added.
Worsley was attempting to complete Ernest Shackleton’s unfinished journey to the South Pole.
He was trying to recreate the majority of the untravelled journey 100 years after Shackleton’s hopes of becoming the first team to cross the Antarctic continent were crushed.
Shackleton’s ship Endurance was trapped and sunk by pack ice in 1915, leaving his team stranded.
His wife Joanna paid tribute to her husband for reaching his goal of raising more than £100,000 to help wounded servicemen and women.
“Henry achieved his Shackleton Solo goals: of raising over £100,000 for the Endeavour Fund, to help his wounded colleagues, and so nearly completing the first unsupported crossing of the Antarctic landmass,” she said.
“A crossing made, under exceptionally difficult weather conditions, to mark the 100th anniversary of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance expedition – his lifelong hero.
“On behalf of myself and family, I wish to thank the many hundreds of you who have shown unfailing support to Henry throughout his courageous final challenge and great generosity to the Endeavour Fund.
“Donations now total over £106,773.”
