On Saturday 26^th May at 17.10hrs BST, the team received a distressing satellite phone call from James.

They were travelling south-east towards Killorsuaq, a small community on the west coast, when Rob noticed he had dropped a mitten. They stopped and Rob went back to get it when suddenly the ice gave way and he fell through into the freezing water. His clothing quickly saturated and the freezing water paralysed him. He also hit his head on the ice edge as he fell and became unconscious. 

The hunters ran back to try to pull Rob out which proved very difficult as they did not want to risk going in themselves. Eventually after some 3 minutes they did. By this time however, Rob was already in a bad state and suffering from hypothermia. They quickly set up their tent and got the stove on to heat the inside. James got Rob’s wet kit off and put him in a sleeping bag with warm drinks. Their combined speed and actions without doubt saved Rob’s life. more

The risk and effort both Rob and James are taking to demonstrate this should be heeded by us all.

In just 27 years, based on current statistics and trends, there will be no summer sea ice in the Arctic!

With no ice to reflect the sun’s rays, the water will absorb more heat and expansion will cause it to raise sea levels globally.

Perhaps that is why the second Thames Flood Barrier is being planned now?