Bear attack wounded arrive home

7 August 2011 Last updated at 12:32 ET

Team leader Michael Reid shot the bear dead but was seriously wounded in the attack

Two survivors of an Arctic polar bear attack in which a British boy died have arrived back in the UK from Norway.

Terry Flinders – father of Patrick Flinders – said his son and Scott Bennell-Smith landed at 16:30 BST at Southampton airport.

All of the four survivors injured in Friday’s attack, on Spitsbergen island, have been receiving treatment at a hospital in Tromso.

Eton pupil Horatio Chapple, 17, died after being mauled by the bear.

Mr Flinders said his son was being transferred to Southampton General Hospital, while he believed that Mr Bennell-Smith was heading to a hospital in Plymouth.

The British Schools Exploring Society has not yet decided when the two other Britons will fly home.

Trip leaders Michael “Spike” Reid, 29, from Plymouth and Andrew Ruck, 27, who is from Brighton but lives in Edinburgh, were severely injured in the bear attack.

Patrick Flinders, 17, from Jersey, and Scott Bennell-Smith, 16, received moderate injuries.

The group were on an expedition organised by the British Schools Exploring Society (BSES), a th development charity, when the attack took place.

All four underwent surgery on Saturday.

The British ambassador to Norway, Jane Owen, said it was a priority to get the patients home as soon as possible “so that they can be with their families as they go through the recovery process”.

Tent attack

Mr Flinders earlier explained how his son had tried to defend the group, saying he “tried to jump on it and smash the polar bear’s nose” when the animal attacked the boys in their tent.

Rescuers took the polar bear away from the after it was shot dead by a team member

Scott shot but did not kill the bear, which then “went for Patrick, he bit his arm and then just swiped his face and top of his head. And then the same with Scottie,” Mr Flinders said.

Mr Reid then shot the bear dead, but was also mauled himself.

Scott’s father, Peter, said in a statement that Friday was the worst day of his life.

“It will never leave me to think how close Scott came to being killed that day,” he said.

“I am so sorry for the loss of his new friend and fellow adventurer, Horatio. It is every parent’s worst nightmare.”

‘Fearless and kind’

The family of Horatio paid tribute to him in a statement, describing him as “strong, fearless and kind”.

They said Mr Chapple had been “so excited about his plans to be a doctor” and praised his “amazing sense of humour and ability to laugh at himself”.

Eton College, where Mr Chapple was a pupil, expressed its deep sadness at the schoolboy’s death and offered its condolences to his family and friends.

The attack on the camp near the Von Post glacier about 25 miles (40km) from Longyearbyen, took place early on Friday.

The BSES, based in west London, organises scientific expeditions to remote areas to develop teamwork and a spirit of adventure. There were 80 people on the trip to Spitsbergen, which had been scheduled to run until 28 August.

The charity announced on Saturday that it had decided to end the expedition and make arrangements for the remaining members to be brought home.

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