- 6 minutes ago
- UK
PA
Explorer Henry Worsley has died after suffering exhaustion and dehydration during a solo attempt to cross Antarctica.
The former Army officer, 55, was 71 days into his effort to become the first person to cross the Antarctic unaided.
His wife Joanna announced the news, saying she felt "heartbroken sadness".
Mr Worsley, from Fulham in London, had died of "complete organ failure", her statement added.
She said her husband had died "despite all efforts" of staff at the Clinica Magallanes in Punta Arenas, Chile.
Mr Worsley began the planned 80-day, 1,100-mile (1,770km) coast-to-coast trek in November, pulling a sledge containing his food, tent and equipment.
The plan was to receive no supply drops or help from dogs or any other source.
He aimed to raise £100,000 for the Endeavour Fund, which helps injured and sick servicemen and women.
Mr Worsley said his journey should take 75 days and he would take enough food for 80 days, adding: "I could make it last a bit longer."
He said he planned to make a call to a logistics base every 24 hours, and if he missed two calls a search team would be sent out based on his last-known GPS location.
Asked if he was "mad" to take on the challenge, he said: "There is no black art to sliding one ski in front of the other.
"What will drive me on is raising money for these wounded soldiers."
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