Explorer Henry Worsley dies just 30 miles from end of bid to cross Antarctic alone

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 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."

Henry Worsley and David Beckham

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.

By pure coincidence Lt Col Worsley was joined by David Beckham on his flight to Antarctica. The footballer shared a picture of the pair together holding the Union Jack on Instagram today as he paid tribute to the explorer. He wrote: "No words can describe the sadness of the loss of Henry. "I was lucky enough to have met Henry on my way out to the Antarctic and I asked if I could use his Union Jack for a picture he kindly lent it to me but I could feel how special this was to him so I was so honored that he had done this for me. "A man that has served our country for so many years and a man that talked about his family with so much pride... our thoughts are with Henry's family at this time."