An intrepid Arctic Circle expedition has been left hanging in the balance after one of its team members was knocked unconscious and left with a “substantial” head injury.
With the temperature at -32C, Alex Hibbert lay for at least two minutes before he was found by his team-mates.
Benno Rawlinson, from Abernethy, and fellow explorer Jamie Anderson managed to rescue Alex and pull him out of the cold.
Now the future of their 1,800-mile journey hinges on whether or not doctors give Alex the all-clear to continue.
The three men are aiming to become the first to cross the infamous North West Passage, in the most northerly tip of Canada, under their own steam.
They plan to complete their journey by skiing, walking and swimming without any support, aside from two dogs to act as lookouts for polar bears.
Last week The Courier revealed the group’s first excursion on the ice was aborted because ferocious conditions made pulling sleds almost impossible.
After setting off from their base at Qikiqtarjuaq for a second attempt, the trio made good progress and when they reached their camp at the end of the day everyone was in good spirits.
Jamie said: “Alex went outside while Benno and I continued to prep for dinner and the obligatory, long-anticipated hot chocolate.”
They were alerted when one of their dogs began growling.
“Having shouted to Alex several times, asking if he needed help or if he could see a bear, we gradually became more concerned as we heard no reply,” Jamie said.
“Benno booted up and went outside and was immediately shouting for help.
“Alex had tripped, fallen and had been knocked unconscious on the corner of one of the Kevlar sleds. He had been lying on the ground at -32C for at least two minutes.
“After getting him into the tent, we managed to wake him and treated him as a hypothermia victim. But it soon became clear that Alex had sustained a substantial head injury.”
After taking expert advice including tips from Benno’s mum Beena back in Perthshire the decision was made to return to Qikiqtarjuaq. They were helped back by members of Canada’s mounted police force.
From there Alex was taken further inland to Iqaluit, the region’s capital, for further medical assessment.
The three men will decide if they will continue their mission once Alex’s results are known.