Prince William's friend Henry Worsley dies trying to recreate Shackleton's Antarctic crossing

telegraph.co.uk ^ | gordan raynor

[BenLurkin]

A friend of the Duke of Cambridge has died attempting to make a solo crossing of Antarctica to raise money for one of the Duke's charities.

Kensington Palace announced that Henry Worsley, 55, died in hospital in Chile, where he had undergone surgery after falling ill with bacterial peritonitis just 30 miles short of his goal.

The Duke, who was Patron of the expedition, said he was "incredibly proud" of the former SAS officer's effort, which raised more than £100,000 for the Endeavour Fund, part of the Duke's Royal Foundation charity.

Mr Worsley was trying to complete the journey that his hero Sir Ernest Shackleton failed to achieve 100 years ago in 1916. He was descended from Frank Worsley, the captain of Shackleton's ship Endurance.

...

Mr Worsley arrived in Antarctica last November to embark on his goal of completing the first ever unsupported and unassisted crossing of the Antarctic. He had spent 71 days trekking across the ice in temperatures as low as -44C, pulling a sled containing his tent and supplies.

A former Lt Col, he was a veteran of two other Antarctic expeditions. But he had to be airlifted off the ice on January 22nd suffering from peritonitis, a swelling of the abdomen caused by an infection. His 56-year-old wife was with him in Chile when he died.

[freefdny]

I have seen the boat at a museum. It just added to my awe and respect for Shackelton and his men. And yes just navigating at sea in those conditions is remarkable.

[SunkenCiv]

This topic was posted 01/25/2016, thanks BenLurkin.