FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Henry Worsley Dies After Antarctic Expedition
Punta Arenas, Chile – January 25, 2016
It is with great sadness that we report that polar expeditioner Henry Worsley died at a hospital in Punta Arenas, Chile yesterday after complications caused by bacterial peritonitis. Henry returned from Antarctica on January 23 after nearly completing his Shackleton Solo Expedition.
Henry began his expedition in November 2015 in support of The Endeavour Fund, an organization that supports wounded soldiers in the UK. He was attempting the first unsupported and unassisted solo crossing of the Antarctic landmass, a journey from Berkner Island to the Ross Ice Shelf via the South Pole. The route was expected to take him 75-80 days and at the time of pickup, he had been in the field for 71 days and travelled over 900 statute miles.
ALE maintained daily communication with Henry throughout the expedition on scheduled satellite phone calls. On January 22, Henry contacted ALE asking for pickup and was subsequently transported by Twin Otter aircraft to ALE’s Union Glacier camp. Upon arrival, he received treatment for extreme exhaustion and dehydration by two ALE doctors trained in remote emergency medicine.
Early on January 23, he boarded ALE’s Ilyushin-76 intercontinental aircraft and received treatment from an ALE doctor for the duration of the flight to Punta Arenas, Chile. Upon landing, Henry was transported by ambulance to hospital, where he was diagnosed with peritonitis and admitted for surgery. He was subsequently transferred to the hospital’s intensive care unit where he passed away on January 24. ALE remained in close contact with the hospital throughout and continues to work closely with the family.
Shackleton, Scott, and Amundsen and had completed two previous Antarctic expeditions, one in 2009 celebrating Shackleton’s Nimrod expedition and one in 2012 that recreated the Amundsen route to the South Pole.
The entire ALE team sends its deepest condolences to Henry’s wife, Joanna, children, Max and Alicia, and extended family at this very difficult time.
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For press inquiries about Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions, contact:
Leslie Wicks
Marketing & Sales Specialist
Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions
[email protected]
T: +1 801-266-4876
About Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions – With more than 25 years of experience, ALE is the premier provider of land-based Antarctic experiences and logistical services. From its blue-ice runway and base camp at Union Glacier, guests can venture to the summit of Mount Vinson, fly to the South Pole, journey to an emperor penguin colony, or attempt an expedition in the spirit of early explorers. ALE also offers a full range of logistical services to support National Antarctic Programs and deep-field scientific research.
For press inquiries about Henry Worsley or the Shackleton Solo Expedition, contact:
Catherine Gale
Shackleton Solo Communications Team
T: +44 7901 515 740
About Henry Worsley: Henry Worsley had just completed a 36-year career in the British Army, serving with the Royal Green Jackets and later the Rifles Regiment, retiring October 2015 but since childhood he had pursued a passionate interest in the lives of the Antarctic explorers of the Edwardian age – Shackleton, Scott and Amundsen.