Aug 8 2011: A BIRMINGHAM sixth-former is recovering after escaping the polar bear attack that left a teenager dead during an expedition to the frozen north.
Maninder Kaur Dhallu, aged 17, a pupil at the King Edward VI High School for Girls in Edgbaston, was understood to be back in the country today after witnessing the horrific incident that left Horatio Chapple dead.
Her father Rajinder Singh, aged 48, said at the family home in Bellflower Drive, Walsall: “She said she saw everything. She didn’t really want to talk about it. She is very distressed. I feel for this boy’s family”
Horatio, aged 17, a pupil at Eton, was killed when the polar bear attacked the group at a campsite in Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Circle.
Three other members of the 13-strong team were badly hurt in the attack before expedition leader Mike ‘Spike’ Reid shot the beast dead, despite being mauled.
Maninder was raising money for Cancer Research UK.
Before she set off, she said her page on the Just Giving website: “I am doing a challenging three week Arctic expedition this summer where I will be venturing out into the untouched beauty and wilderness of Svalbard, located deep in the Arctic Circle.
As it will be the Arctic summertime, I will be experiencing 24-hour daylight and temperatures of around minus ten degrees Celcius.
“During this expedition I will be taking part in a range of activities such as glacial travel, snow shoeing, ice climbing and mountaineering.
"Additionally, there will be an opportunity to undertake a four-day long trek across the Arctic tundra during the final days of the expedition.
“Through this expedition I am hoping to raise money for Cancer Research UK to help them continue their excellent work. I would be extremely thankful for any donations. Many thanks!”
Her page revealed that the big-hearted and intrepid teenager had collected pledges totalling more than £1,000 for the charity.
Mr Reid, aged 29, raced to try to help Horatio as he and two friends were being attacked in their tent at the remote camp.
Despite suffering extensive injuries including a broken jaw, he hit the 40-stone bear with his fists during the drama on a glacier 600 miles south of the North Pole.
When colleague Andrew Ruck, aged 27, arrived, Mr Reid sprinted to grab a rifle and killed the bear as it was poised to strike again. He was unable to save the life of Horatio, but he helped to rescue Patrick Flinders and Scott Smith, both 17.