LONDON, ENGLAND — A British explorer attempting the first unaided solo crossing of Antarctica has died after falling ill just 30 miles short of his goal.

Henry Worsley, 55, set out on Nov. 14 aiming to cover the roughly 950 mile route across the icy continent in 75 days.

The former army officer was pulling a sled with provisions for 80 days while battling strong winds and temperatures as low as minus 44 celsius. He checked in regularly using a satellite phone.

However, on day 71 Worsley called in to say he could go no further and was airlifted to Union Glacier base camp suffering from severe dehydration and exhaustion. According to the BBC, he was then flown to Punta Arenas in Chile where he underwent surgery for peritonitis, a bacterial infection that can lead to septic shock.

Worsley died Sunday Jan. 24 from what his wife described as "complete organ failure" reported the Washington Post.

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