Frostbite forces Sir Ranulph Fiennes to quit 2,000-mile Antarctica crossing
Sir Ranulph Fiennes has pulled out of an expedition across Antarctica because of frostbite.
But the team with him, which includes two men who work for Cannock-based Finning UK, will continue on their journey in his absence.
Sir Ranulph, aged 68, was injured after a fall while skiing during training at a base camp in Antarctica. He developed frostbite after using his bare hands to fix a ski binding in temperatures of around -30C (-22F).
The remaining expedition members, including Finning engineers Richmond Dykes and Spencer Smirl, have already decided to continue with the 2,000-mile crossing of Antarctica. They are said to be in good health and high spirits.
Sir Ranulph, the first person to completely cross Antarctica on foot, will now leave the Coldest Journey expedition, which is attempting to be the first to cross Antarctica in winter.
Organisers said his evacuation to South Africa was being hampered by blizzard conditions.
Finning UK and Ireland managing director Neil Dickinson said: "We have been in contact with Sir Ranulph Fiennes and our Finning engineers, stressing how important it is to maintain the safety of each member of the team, throughout the expedition.
"Having spoken to Spencer and Richmond, they are both in good health and their spirits are high, as the countdown to the March 21 expedition start date continues.
"Although very sad news for Sir Ranulph and the rest of the team, the important goals of the expedition itself remain – to perform important scientific research, to test the ability to operate machinery in the harshest of conditions and to raise a great deal of money and awareness for the Seeing is Believing charity."
