British explorer Henry Worsely’s attempt to cross Antarctica on his own has come to a sudden and fatal end, as the 55-year-old former Army officer succumbed to exhaustion and dehydration just 30 miles short of his goal, various media outlets confirmed on Monday.
Worsley, who was attempting to complete the trek as part of an effort to raise funds for wounded soldiers, had covered more than 900 miles in 71 days before calling for help Friday, according to the Wall Street Journal. He was airlifted to a clinic in Punta Arenas, Chile, where his family said that he died after suffering “complete organ failure.”
BBC News explained that Worsley was trying to finish the same trek once attempted by Ernest Shackleton, his longtime hero, in order to commemorate the 100th anniversary of that expedition and to raise more than $140,000 (£100,000) for the Endeavour Fund, a charity established to aid wounded service men and women.
Shackelton’s original expedition route. (Credit: Adventure Network International)
The Duke of Cambridge, who co-manages the Endeavour Fund along with Prince Harry, said he was “very sad” to learn of Worsley’s passing, while Prince Harry’s brother Prince William added that the fallen explored was “man who showed great courage and determination,” not to mention a “selfless commitment” to his fellow military personnel.
Worsely’s dead a ‘huge loss’ to the adventuring world
In a message published before his passing, Worsely said that “71 days alone on the Antarctic with over 900 statute miles covered and a gradual grinding down of my physical endurance… took its toll today, and it is with sadness that I report it is journey’s end – so close to my goal.”
According to the Associated Press, the day before his death, Worsely had undergone surgery to treat bacterial peritonitis – an infection of the tissue lining the abdomen that can result in septic shock. He had been unable to leave his tent for the two days prior to being airlifted to the Chile hospital, ultimately making the call to end his journey, but not in time to save his life.
Worsley set off on his 1,000-plus mile coast-to-coast journey across Antarctica in November, with only a sled containing his food, tent and equipment, BBC News said. His goal was to make it across the continent “unassisted and unsupported,” with no supply drops, help from sled dogs or assistance from any other source.
In a statement, Endeavour Fund chairman Harry Holt, a friend of Worsley’s, said that he and his colleagues were “devastated” by his passing. “The Endeavour Fund is very proud to have been associated with Henry’s tremendous achievements but we mourn his sacrifice. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends in this dark hour.”
Shackleton’s granddaughter Alexandra told the BBC that his death was a “huge loss to the adventuring world. He was very energetic, very keen on testing himself, seeing how far he could get with his endeavors. The whole point of this one was that Henry was doing it on his own. I suppose you could say he was doing more and more adventurous and interesting things.”
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Feature Image: Henry Worsley holding Shackelton’s compass. (Credit: Adventure Network International)
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