This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42009854
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Missing UK explorer Benedict Allen 'alive and well' | Missing UK explorer Benedict Allen 'alive and well' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Missing UK explorer Benedict Allen has been seen "alive and well" near an airstrip in Papua New Guinea. | Missing UK explorer Benedict Allen has been seen "alive and well" near an airstrip in Papua New Guinea. |
| The BBC's Frank Gardner said Mr Allen had asked to be rescued and efforts were under way to retrieve him, but he was "not out of danger yet". | |
| A search was mounted for the 57-year-old after his family said he had not taken planned flights home. | A search was mounted for the 57-year-old after his family said he had not taken planned flights home. |
| Mr Allen was travelling on his own to try to find the reclusive Yaifo tribe, whom he first met 30 years ago. | Mr Allen was travelling on his own to try to find the reclusive Yaifo tribe, whom he first met 30 years ago. |
| His agent, Jo Sarsby, said it was believed that Mr Allen was waiting at an airstrip in the country's Hewa region. | His agent, Jo Sarsby, said it was believed that Mr Allen was waiting at an airstrip in the country's Hewa region. |
| She said it was understood the airstrip was not accessible by road, so it is hoped that a helicopter will be sent on Friday. | She said it was understood the airstrip was not accessible by road, so it is hoped that a helicopter will be sent on Friday. |
| 'Tribal fighting' | |
| BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We've had a second sighting of him now. | |
| "Tribal chiefs in the area that he went missing say that he has been sighted near an airstrip, that he's okay, that his health is fine, that he's requesting rescue. | "Tribal chiefs in the area that he went missing say that he has been sighted near an airstrip, that he's okay, that his health is fine, that he's requesting rescue. |
| "It's always possible that they could have made a mistake, but I'm not aware of any other 57-year-old lanky British explorers that have gone missing in that area, so let's hope that it isn't a false glimmer of hope. But I think he's going to be okay." | "It's always possible that they could have made a mistake, but I'm not aware of any other 57-year-old lanky British explorers that have gone missing in that area, so let's hope that it isn't a false glimmer of hope. But I think he's going to be okay." |
| Our correspondent said Mr Allen was marooned in a remote part of Papua New Guinea that was only accessible by air, after the road bridges were cut due to tribal fighting. | |
| "Urgent efforts are now under way to try and airlift him out as soon as possible in case fighting erupts around him," he said. | |
| Mr Allen's older sister, Katie Pestille, had said it was "out of character" for him to miss his scheduled flight out of Papua New Guinea to Hong Kong. | Mr Allen's older sister, Katie Pestille, had said it was "out of character" for him to miss his scheduled flight out of Papua New Guinea to Hong Kong. |
| Who is Benedict Allen? | Who is Benedict Allen? |
| First solo adventure: To the Amazon at 22, during which he was shot at by two hitmen | First solo adventure: To the Amazon at 22, during which he was shot at by two hitmen |
| Tough time: An initiation into manhood in Papua New Guinea. He was kept in a "crocodile nest" with 20 others, and repeatedly cut with bamboo blades to leave scars that looked like crocodile scales | Tough time: An initiation into manhood in Papua New Guinea. He was kept in a "crocodile nest" with 20 others, and repeatedly cut with bamboo blades to leave scars that looked like crocodile scales |
| Low moment: Eating his own dog to survive | Low moment: Eating his own dog to survive |
| Travel habit: Always keeps loo paper in a back pocket. "You know how it is," he tells the Lonely Planet. | Travel habit: Always keeps loo paper in a back pocket. "You know how it is," he tells the Lonely Planet. |
| Philosophy: "For me personally, exploration isn't about conquering nature, planting flags or leaving your mark. It's about the opposite: opening yourself up and allowing the place to leave its mark on you." | Philosophy: "For me personally, exploration isn't about conquering nature, planting flags or leaving your mark. It's about the opposite: opening yourself up and allowing the place to leave its mark on you." |
| Career: Six TV series for the BBC, author, motivational speaker | Career: Six TV series for the BBC, author, motivational speaker |
| Family: Lives with family in Czech Republic | Family: Lives with family in Czech Republic |
| The explorer, from London, has previously crossed the Amazon Basin on foot and in a dug-out canoe, and participated in a six-week male initiation ceremony in which crocodile marks were carved onto his body. | The explorer, from London, has previously crossed the Amazon Basin on foot and in a dug-out canoe, and participated in a six-week male initiation ceremony in which crocodile marks were carved onto his body. |
| He has filmed a number of his adventures for BBC documentaries and written books on exploration. | He has filmed a number of his adventures for BBC documentaries and written books on exploration. |
| In his last tweet from 11 October, Mr Allen wrote: "Marching off to Heathrow. I may be some time." | In his last tweet from 11 October, Mr Allen wrote: "Marching off to Heathrow. I may be some time." |