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Boy's polar bear death 'preventable' but tour leaders will not face prosecution Boy's polar bear death 'preventable' but tour leaders will not face prosecution
(3 days later)
A tragedy in which an Eton schoolboy was mauled and killed by a polar bear on an expedition to Norway last year was "preventable" but none of the organisers will be prosecuted, an investigation by the Norwegian authorities has concluded.A tragedy in which an Eton schoolboy was mauled and killed by a polar bear on an expedition to Norway last year was "preventable" but none of the organisers will be prosecuted, an investigation by the Norwegian authorities has concluded.
Horatio Chapple, 17, died in the attack on the island of Svalbard, in which four others were injured including the group leader who eventually managed to shoot and kill the bear. The trip was organised by the BSES Expeditions, a youth development charity based at the Royal Geographical Society in London. BSES Expeditions is carrying out a separate inquiry. Horatio Chapple, 17, died in the attack on the island of Svalbard, in which four others were injured including the group leader who eventually managed to shoot and kill the bear. The trip was organised by the BSES Expeditions, a youth development charity based in London. BSES Expeditions is carrying out a separate inquiry.
The Norwegian report, for the governor's office of the Svalbard Archipelago, part of the Troms and Finnmark region of northern Norway, found: "The accident was the result of a number of unfortunate circumstances that lead us to conclude that neither BSES nor any of the individuals involved should be charged with criminal negligence."The Norwegian report, for the governor's office of the Svalbard Archipelago, part of the Troms and Finnmark region of northern Norway, found: "The accident was the result of a number of unfortunate circumstances that lead us to conclude that neither BSES nor any of the individuals involved should be charged with criminal negligence."
The dead boy's parents David, a surgeon in Salisbury, and Susan Chapple, have already instructed lawyers in Oslo to challenge the verdict. The dead boy's parents David, a surgeon in Salisbury, and Olivia Chapple, have already instructed lawyers in Oslo to challenge the verdict.
The Norwegians said more steps could have been taken to prevent the disaster: the group should have used guard dogs, set somebody on polar bear watch through the night, and stayed in cabins rather than tents. The trip wires around the camp that could have given them advance warning were in working order, but may have been set up incorrectly.The Norwegians said more steps could have been taken to prevent the disaster: the group should have used guard dogs, set somebody on polar bear watch through the night, and stayed in cabins rather than tents. The trip wires around the camp that could have given them advance warning were in working order, but may have been set up incorrectly.
The report found that the expedition had the legally required equipment, which was in working order.The report found that the expedition had the legally required equipment, which was in working order.
"The equipment had been tested earlier, but the tripwire did not detonate when the bear entered the camp," said the report."The equipment had been tested earlier, but the tripwire did not detonate when the bear entered the camp," said the report.
"A leader tried to fire a shot with the rifle, but did not succeed. When he managed to fire the rifle, the bear had already killed the 17-year-old, and wounded four others, amongst them himself."A leader tried to fire a shot with the rifle, but did not succeed. When he managed to fire the rifle, the bear had already killed the 17-year-old, and wounded four others, amongst them himself.
"Technical studies have revealed that there were no malfunctions to the rifle, the cartridges or the tripwire flares.""Technical studies have revealed that there were no malfunctions to the rifle, the cartridges or the tripwire flares."
The report concluded: "There are different measures that could have been taken that might have prevented the attack. But based on our investigation, it appears that they've done what was required of them. None of the measures were legally required under local laws governing tour operators."The report concluded: "There are different measures that could have been taken that might have prevented the attack. But based on our investigation, it appears that they've done what was required of them. None of the measures were legally required under local laws governing tour operators."
Edward Watson, chairman of BSES, said he would not comment until the society's own inquiry was complete, but added: "Those most closely affected, particularly the Chapple family, remain uppermost in our thoughts at this especially difficult time for them,"Edward Watson, chairman of BSES, said he would not comment until the society's own inquiry was complete, but added: "Those most closely affected, particularly the Chapple family, remain uppermost in our thoughts at this especially difficult time for them,"
The group was part of a larger contingent that arrived in Spitsbergen, the largest island in the archipelago, home to more than 3,000 bears, in July 2011.The group was part of a larger contingent that arrived in Spitsbergen, the largest island in the archipelago, home to more than 3,000 bears, in July 2011.
Led by two experienced outdoor enthusiasts, they trekked 25 miles before setting up camp. They were all asleep early on the following morning when the 7ft 40-stone male bear attacked the tents. Those injured had serious bite and claw injuries to their heads and arms: one of Horatio's friends managed to punch the bear in the face. An air ambulance, called by satellite phone, arrive 50 minutes after the attack but Horatio was already dead.Led by two experienced outdoor enthusiasts, they trekked 25 miles before setting up camp. They were all asleep early on the following morning when the 7ft 40-stone male bear attacked the tents. Those injured had serious bite and claw injuries to their heads and arms: one of Horatio's friends managed to punch the bear in the face. An air ambulance, called by satellite phone, arrive 50 minutes after the attack but Horatio was already dead.
Locals said polar bear attacks were extremely rare, but an early postmortem found that the animal had badly decayed teeth and may have been maddened by hunger and pain.Locals said polar bear attacks were extremely rare, but an early postmortem found that the animal had badly decayed teeth and may have been maddened by hunger and pain.
• This article was amended on 5 March 2012 because the original said Horatio Chapple's mother is called Susan. This has been corrected. The original also suggested that there was a connection BSES Expeditions and the Royal Geographical Society. This has been cut because although BSES Expeditions rent office space from the Royal Geographic Society, they are not "based" there in an affiliation sense.