Henry Worlsey, a British Explorer who was attempting to be the first person to cross the Antarctic has died. Wrosley, 55, was unaided, in his epic charity mission that was inspired by Ernest Shackleton. Henry Worlsey was a former British Army officer. He died after being air lifted to a hospital in Puntas Arenas, Chile, suffering from severe exhaustion and dehydration.

Worsley found to have bacterial peritonitis, a bacterial infection in the abdomen. He was 71 days into his record-breaking solo mission to complete the legendary British explorer Ernest Shackleton’s unsuccessful crossing of the Antarctic in the early 1900s. Worsley was forced to call for help on Friday amid blizzard conditions after travelling 913 miles across the South Pole- just 30 miles short of his end goal.

Prince William, a friend of Worsley and a patron of the Shackleton Solo Expedition, said he and his brother Prince Harry were saddened by the news. “He was a man who showed great courage and determination,” Prince William said. “We are incredibly proud to be associated with him. “Even after retiring from the Army, Henry continued to show selfless commitment to his fellow servicemen and women, by undertaking this extraordinary Shackleton solo expedition on their behalf.”

Worsley’s wife Joanna said, ‘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 [Worsley’s expedition team] and medical staff at the Clinica Magallanes in Punta Arenas, Chile. “Henry achieved his Shackleton Solo goals: of raising over £100,000 ($142,000) for the Endeavour Fund, to help his wounded colleagues, and so nearly completing the first unsupported crossing of the Antarctic landmass. A crossing made, under exceptionally difficult weather conditions, to mark the 100th anniversary of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance expedition — his lifelong hero.”