British explorer Henry Worsley dies on solo Antarctic trek

LONDON (AP) — A British adventurer attempting to become the first person to cross the Antarctic alone and unsupported has died after collapsing from exhaustion within miles of his goal.

Former army officer Henry Worsley was just 30 miles (48 kilometers) from the end of the almost 1,000-mile (1,600-kilometer) trek when he called for help and was airlifted off the ice Friday.

"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," he said in a final statement from Antarctica.