Skip to main contentSkip to navigationSkip to navigation
Philip Goodeve-Docker, Briton who died during a trek across Greenland
Philip Goodeve-Docker died during a trek across Greenland. Photograph: Facebook
Philip Goodeve-Docker died during a trek across Greenland. Photograph: Facebook

British man dies in Greenland during Arctic expedition

This article is more than 10 years old
Philip Goodeve-Docker was trekking across Greenland ice sheet with two friends when group got into trouble

A British man who had described his planned trek with two friends across part of the Greenland ice sheet as a "frankly nutty adventure" died after part of their tent was blown away in a snowstorm early into the 400-mile expedition.

Philip Goodeve-Docker, a comedy promoter, was said to be a "rookie to the Arctic" by one of his companions before the trip. He died on Sunday, according to a message from his family on his Facebook page. He had trained for the expedition – up to 600km across what he called "one of the most dazzling, beautiful, yet barren and deadly landscapes in the world" – by dragging tyres near his home in Ealing, west London.

Speaking from the flat he shared with his brother, Mark Goodeve-Docker said: "It's gutting. It's a horrible, horrible thing and the family are just coming to terms with it. He was a novice but he spent months training and had done everything necessary to prepare for the trip."

The team included another "Arctic virgin" Andy Norman, 33, from Ascot, Berkshire, who was said on his website to have recovered from being in a critical condition, and Roan Hackney, who had completed several Arctic expeditions. They were flown back to Britain on Monday, said police in Greenland .

The men, who were dragging their own supplies – up to 135kg on individual "pulks" or sleds – got into difficulties little more than a day into the expedition when they were engulfed by a severe snowstorm which blew away part of their tent.

According to local police, they radioed for help on Friday but rescuers could not reach their position until early on Saturday morning; when they arrived Goodeve-Docker was already dead.

Chief Inspector Paul Pitersen of the Greenland police said the severe storm, with winds of up to 150km an hour and heavy snow, was known as a Piteraq. "It is quite rare but can happen at this time of year on the glacier. Their tent was blown partially away and they were exposed.

"One of the men said they thought Goodeve-Docker had probably died during the night. The other men are OK and are on their way back to the UK.

"They were very unlucky. They were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time."

The alarm had been raised by a person at the starting point of the expedition, Isortoq in eastern Greenland, said Pitersen. "They told us they had some problems and needed some help."

Neither search and rescue helicopters nor US air force planes (which are stationed in Greenland) were able to fly in the conditions. The survivors were in shock and had some minor frostbite, mainly in their hands. "They were, of course, cold but all in all in good shape."

The team had met requirements on food, drink, clothing and equipment set by authorities for the east-west expedition. Travellers also had to be equipped with satellite phones and have appropriate insurance to help cover the search and rescue costs, Pitersen said.

"This time of year [March, April and May] is the best time to cross the glacier but we have some issues down to climate; winds are higher and snowfall heavier but there are more and more expeditions. At the moment we have 30 planned this year."

The fatality was the only one so far this year, he said. Last year there was one and two the year before: "It is not common."

Goodeve-Docker, who ran the Purple Cactus agency, had written on his JustGiving fundraising webpage that the trip 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 three men with one tent and no washing."

Supporters were still donating money to Goodeve-Docker's cause, The Queen's Nursing Institute (QNI), on Wednesday afternoon, by which time the total had passed £7,000.

The family message said: "We wanted to let everyone know that on Sunday morning we had a phone call to confirm that Philip sadly died.

"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"

On his website, Norman, from Ascot, Berkshire, said the temperature on the first day of the trek was around -20C but was estimated to drop to -35C overnight.

He described Hackney, from London, as the "expedition leader and instigator" who was "taking on a challenge of his own in taking two rookies to the Arctic".

"Roan is trained for various organisations including the BAS (British Antarctic Survey), and has worked for various surveys including in the Canadian Arctic," he adds.

"As a survey Officer and polar adventurer he has completed several arctic expeditions, including being part of the team that attempted this same expedition 2 years ago. That endeavour was defeated half way through due to a freak storm which destroyed their tents and equipment equipment."

A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said they were alerted to the situation on Sunday.

"We are aware that British nationals were in difficulty during an expedition in Greenland and have been rescued by the authorities," she said. "Sadly one of the men, Philip Goodeve-Docker, died.

"The two other British nationals are in hospital. We are providing consular assistance to their families at this time."

Goodeve-Docker had said that "part of my reasons for this frankly nutty adventure" was his grandfather Patrick Pirie-Gordon, who had died two years ago and had been treasurer and honorary vice-president of the Royal Geographical Society, which helps fund polar exploration, and treasurer of the QNI.

"He was intensely passionate about both these institutions. It gave me added incentive to say yes to the expedition and, because of their fantastic work in nursing and helping those in need at home, to do my part for QNI. They really do fantastic work," said Goodeve-Docker before leaving for Greenland. "So please dig deep and donate now. All the support will be great incentive to come back in one piece.

"I'm going back outside to stumble around with tyres again … wish me luck!"

On his website about the expedition, Norman said Goodeve-Docker was "completely new to the Arctic and indeed this adventure lark" but had been "training furiously". He tweeted on Wednesday last week that they were due to start at 13.00 the following day. The group were being supported and monitored during the trip from the UK, managed by a world leader in managing Greenland expeditions.

Most viewed

Most viewed