Twigg’s dismay as explorer quits Antarctica expedition

MATLOCK: The team at William Twigg Matlock Ltd has sent a message of commiseration to Sir Ranulph Fiennes in Antarctica after frostbite forced him to pull out of the attempt to lead an expedition bidding to become the first to cross the polar icecap in winter.
One of the Twigg skoots on the Antarctic iceOne of the Twigg skoots on the Antarctic ice
One of the Twigg skoots on the Antarctic ice

Twigg’s have produced the special ‘skoots’ which the Ice team are using to transport essential supplies of fuel for their tractors during ‘the coldest journey on earth’.

Twigg’s director Richard Tarbatt said this week: “We fully understand Sir Ranulph’s great disappointment at having to pull out. It must have been a bitter blow for him but we share the expedition’s confidence that it still stands every chance of success.”

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Sir Ranulph is to be lifted off the icecap before the onset of winter makes it impossible to fly him out for treatment to frostbite in his left hand.

An expedition spokesman said this week that the decision for Sir Ranulph to withdraw had not been taken lightly and added: “Ran has suffered an accident to his hand which effectively makes his continued participation in the expedition more of a liability than an asset”.

The spokesman added: “He remains fully dedicated to the project and as soon as his injuries permit, he will continue to support The Coldest Journey by fundraising and promoting awareness of Seeing is Believing, the expedition’s chosen charity, which is committed to eradicating preventable blindness in the developing world.”

The expedition is sticking to its original plan to begin the crossing on March 21.

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