Dubai, United Arab Emirates – The British Antarctic Survey reported that the remains of a British researcher, who disappeared in 1959 during a mission to Antarctica, were found this year. It was possible to find his remains thanks to melting ice. They were returned to his family.
Meteorologist Dennis Bell fell into an ice crack on King George Island, the largest island in the South Shetland Archipelago, on July 26, 1959. He was twenty-five years old then.
British Antarctic Survey said a team of Polish scientists found his remains this year. The remains floated to the surface among the rocks due to the retreat of the Antarctic ice sheet.
In 1958, Dennis Bell joined FIDS, the predecessor to British Antarctic Survey, as a meteorologist. He had performed his military service in the Royal Air Force prior to joining.
Upon joining the agency, Dennis Bell was attached to the British Admiralty Bay base on King George Island. He was supposed to spend two years there.
At that time, 12 men occupied the base, which was surrounded by mountains and ice-covered waters. They stayed there for 9 months of the year.
Surveys
On July 26, 1959, during the winter of the Southern Hemisphere, Dennis and three other men set out to conduct surveys of a glacier. They were accompanied by sled dogs.
At one point, the meteorologist took off his skis to help the dogs advance. He fell into an ice crack. His companions found him and were able to lift him using a rope tied to his belt. However, the rope broke under the weight. The young man suffered a second fall that led to his death, according to his colleagues’ account.
Last January, scientists working at a Polish base on King George Island found his remains and other items.
His identity was confirmed by comparing his DNA samples with those taken from his brother and sister.
A statement by the British Antarctic Survey quoted David Bell as saying, “My sister Valerie and I were shocked when we were informed that our brother Dennis had been found after 66 years”.
The agency’s director, Professor Jane Francis, noted that “Dennis was among those who contributed to the early stages of Antarctic exploration and research. He did so under extremely harsh conditions.”
