In this Friday, April 18, 2008 file photo, former army officer Henry Worsley is seen on the Korridoren glacier in Milne Land, Greenland. A British adventurer attempting to become the first person to cross the Antarctic alone and unsupported has died after collapsing from exhaustion within miles of his goal. Former army officer Henry Worsley was just 30 miles (48 kilometers) from the end of the almost 1,000-mile (1,600-kilometer) trek when he called for help and was airlifted off the ice Friday, Jan. 22, 2016. PA via AP File Photo
LONDON, United Kingdom鈥擜 British adventurer attempting to become the first person to cross the Antarctic alone and unsupported has died after collapsing from exhaustion within miles of his goal.
Former army officer Henry Worsley was just 30 miles (48 kilometers) from the end of the almost 1,000-mile (1,600-kilometer) trek when he called for help and was airlifted off the ice Friday.
His family said Monday that Worsley, 55, died 鈥渇ollowing complete organ failure鈥� at a hospital in Punta Arenas, Chile. He had undergone surgery a day earlier for bacterial peritonitis 鈥攁n infection of the tissue lining the abdomen, which can lead to septic shock.
Pulling supplies on a sled, Worsley was trying to complete Ernest Shackleton鈥檚 attempt of a century ago to cross the Antarctic via the South Pole. Shackleton鈥檚 journey turned into a desperate survival mission after his ship, the Endurance, was trapped and sunk by pack ice in 1915, leaving his team stranded.
His successful bid to reach help at a remote South Atlantic whaling station and rescue his men is considered a heroic feat of endurance.
Worsley鈥檚 ancestor, Frank Worsley, was skipper of the Endurance on Shackleton鈥檚 voyage.
Henry Worsley decided to abandon his journey Friday after being unable to leave his tent for two days.
鈥淭he 71 days alone on the Antarctic with over 900 statute miles covered and a gradual grinding down of my physical endurance finally took its toll today, and it is with sadness that I report it is journey鈥檚 end鈥攕o close to my goal,鈥� he said in a final statement from Antarctica.
Shackleton鈥檚 granddaughter, Alexandra Shackleton, said Worsley鈥檚 death was 鈥渁 huge loss to the adventuring world.鈥� Outdoorsman Bear Grylls said he was devastated at the loss of 鈥渙ne of the strongest men (and) bravest soldiers I know.鈥�
Prince William, a patron of the expedition, said he and his brother, Prince Harry, had lost a friend.
鈥淲e are incredibly proud to be associated with him,鈥� William said.
Worsley鈥檚 wife, Joanna, said the expedition had raised more than 100,000 pounds ($140,000) for wounded troops.
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