Philip Goodeve-Docker dies during Greenland ice trek

A British man has died during a 400-mile trek across Greenland's ice sheet.

Philip Goodeve-Docker, 31, of Ealing, west London, was on the expedition with two friends, when they were caught in a severe snowstorm on Sunday.

He died on "an adventure that he wanted to do for so long" and would be "unbelievably missed", his family said.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said the other men were recovering in hospital after having been rescued by local authorities.

It is thought they are suffering from frostbite and shock.

Online tributes to Mr Goodeve-Docker on his Facebook page said: "To our son, brother and friend, we are so glad that you were on your adventure and expedition that you had wanted to do for so long. You will be unbelievably missed and your memory cherished. xx."

Mr Goodeve-Docker and his team-mates, Andy Norman, from Bracknell in Berkshire, and Roan Hackney, were in the early stages of their trek when a snowstorm engulfed them, blowing away their tent.

They were picked up by local authorities, but Mr Goodeve-Docker died.

Before setting out, Mr Goodeve-Docker had written on his JustGiving fundraising webpage that they would be trekking unsupported across "one of the most dazzling, beautiful, yet barren and deadly landscapes in the world".

He said it could take up to 35 days and was "one of the great polar challenges".

He had added: "We face such dangers as polar bears (not cute and cuddly), crevasses up to 500 metres deep, polar winds, temperatures of 5C to -50C, plus the horror of 3 men with one tent and no washing."

Mr Goodeve-Docker, who is thought to have raised more than £5,000 for The Queen's Nursing Institute (QNI), dedicated the trip to his "nutty adventurer grandfather", Patrick Pirie-Gordon, who died two years ago.

Mr Pirie-Gordon had been treasurer and honorary vice-president of the Royal Geographical Society, which helps fund polar exploration, and was also treasurer of the QNI.

Those making donations following Mr Goodeve-Docker's death also paid tribute to him.

One wrote: "Would have paid any money to have you back my friend still can't believe you are gone. Rest in peace hope to see you again one day."

Another wrote: "In memory, you made a difference and lived large!!"

The comedian Jason Manford, who knew Mr Goodeve-Docker, wrote: "He was a really lovely man and was passionately trying to live out his dream of crossing the Greenland Icecap and in the process wanted to raise as much money for a charity close to his heart."

His close friend, comedian Adam Bloom, said: "He just loved fun.

"He had that enviable quality that he was just out to enjoy himself and he didn't seem to get down. He didn't seem to worry."

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said it had been alerted to the situation on Sunday and was providing consular assistance to the family.