Polar bear attack survivors to return to UK

Scott Bennell-Smith and Patrick Flinders will be flown back to Britain under care of specialist medical team Two members of an expedition injured in a polar bear attack in which a 17-year-old was killed will return to the UK on Sunday, the organisers of the trip have said. Scott Bennell-Smith and Patrick Flinders will be flown back to Britain under the care of a specialist medical evacuation team, BSES Expeditions confirmed. The organisation, formerly British Schools Exploring Society, asked for the pair’s privacy to be respected. Horatio Chapple, from Salisbury, in Wiltshire, died in the attack in Svalbard, Norway, on Friday. Four others, including Bennell-Smith and Flinders, were injured when the bear attacked their camp. The five were part of a group camping on the Von Postbreen glacier, near Longyearbyen, Svalbard. They had been researching climate change, documenting changes to the glacier since previous expeditions. Horatio’s family described him as “strong, fearless and kind”, and had been “so excited about his plans to be a doctor”. In a statement they praised his “amazing sense of humour and ability to laugh at himself”, adding: “He was on the cusp of adulthood and had a clear vision of where his life was going.” Eton College, where the teenager was a pupil, said: “Horatio was a very well-liked member of the school and respected by masters and boys alike. His loss is devastating to those who knew him. We extend our sympathy and condolences to Horatio’s family and friends.” Plans are being made to bring home the other injured – Michael “Spike” Reid, the expedition leader who shot the bear, and Andy Ruck – when doctors and transport authorities allowed, BSES said. Reid’s father spoke of his pride at his son’s bravery, saying: “He told us the bear attacked the tent with three people in it, and he and another leader went to help and were viciously attacked by the bear. He managed to get away, ran to get a gun and shot the bear. “The other members of the group said he was very, very brave.” Michael Reid, 29, from London, sustained injuries to his face and neck. Fellow expedition leader Ruck, 27, believed to be from Aberdeen, was also seriously hurt. Bennell-Smith and Flinders, who was said to have punched the bear on the nose to escape, sustained less serious wounds. On Saturday, BSES announced that it had decided to end the expedition on the advice of the Svalbard authorities and in accordance with the wishes of the group leaders. Police are investigating the incident. A spokesman for the governor of Svalbard said: “It is now known that the polar bear was killed by a single rifle shot. It has now been transported to Longyearbyen and will be investigated by specialists.” Norway Arctic Europe Polar regions Wildlife Animals guardian.co.uk

Posted by on August 7, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.