Explorer dies after dehydration forces him to end solo Antarctic trek

Oct. 19, 2015: Former British Army officer Henry Worsley, right, poses with Britain's Prince William as they hold the British flag in London. Worsley has died after suffering exhaustion and dehydration while attempting to cross the Antarctic alone, his family announced Monday. (AP)

A former British Army officer turned adventurer has died just days after abandoning his attempt to cross Antarctica alone.

Henry Worsley's family said Monday that he had died "following complete organ failure" at a clinic in Punta Arenas, Chile. He was 55.

Sky News reported that Worsley had bacterial peritonitis, which occurs when the tissue lining the abdomen becomes infected.

Worsley was just 30 miles from the end of the almost 1,000-mile trek when he called for help and was airlifted off the ice Friday. He had covered more than 900 miles in 71 days, pulling supplies on a sled, while attempting to complete Ernest Shackleton's unfinished South Pole expedition of a century ago.

Worsley's wife Joanna said the expedition had raised more than $140,000 for wounded troops.

In his final statement sent from Antarctica, Worsley described his sadness at having to pull out so close to the finish.

"The 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's end -- so close to my goal," Worsley said.

The adventurer also said that after having been a career soldier for 36 years, the focus of his trek was "giving back to those far less fortunate than me."

Prince William said he and his brother had "lost a friend" and paid tribute to Worsley's "selfless commitment" to his fellow servicemen and women.

"[Prince] Harry and I are very sad to hear of the loss of Henry Worsley. He was a man who showed great courage and determination and we are incredibly proud to be associated with him," he said in a statement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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