Explorer dies after halting solo attempt to cross Antarctic just 30 miles from finish line

Explorer Henry Worsley died on Sunday Credit: Shackleton Solo

ITV News correspondent Neil Connery reports:

Explorer Henry Worsley, who was forced to abandon a solo crossing of the Antarctic on Friday has died, his family has announced.

The former Army officer, 55, from Fulham, London, was just 30 miles away from finishing his attempt to making Antarctic history as the first adventurer to cross the continent completely unsupported and unassisted when he had to call for help.

He was suffering from exhaustion and dehydration and was airlifted off the ice on Friday afternoon.

Listen to Henry Worsley's last voice message last week as he announced he was ending his expedition:

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."

The Duke of Cambridge, who was patron of the expedition, has paid tribute to the explorer.

Lt Col Worsley embarked on the challenge in a bid to complete his idol Sir Ernest Shackleton's unfinished journey to the South Pole in 1914.

The married father-of-two exceeded his goal of raising a £100,000 for the Endeavour Fund, a charity that helps and inspires injured service personnel.

Sir Ernest Shackleton's granddaughter Alexandra Shackleton said Worsley's death would be a "huge loss to the adventuring world".

Speaking to ITV News Mrs Shackleton said that the Worsley family should be "very proud" of his achievements.

The adventurer succeeded in walking 913 miles unsupported and unassisted, while tackling white-out blizzards and treacherous ice in temperatures of minus 44.

After spending two days unable to move from his tent, he took the decision to pull out of the charity adventure.

He was airlifted to a hospital in Punta Arenas where he was found to have bacterial peritonitis. He underwent surgery but died on Sunday in hospital.

David Beckham also paid tribute to the explorer on Instagram:

'No words can describe the sadness of the loss of Henry' Credit: Instagram/DavidBeckham