The father of polar bear attack survivor Patrick Flinders described his son as a hero
Terry Flinders said his 16-year-old son Patrick, who suffered
a fractured skull and had to have some of the bear's teeth removed from
his head, was a "hero" for attacking the animal.
Patrick, who is from Jersey, and fellow survivor Scott Bennell-Smith, 16, were flown to the UK on Sunday.
Horatio Chapple, 17, died in Friday's attack, on Spitsbergen island, Norway.
All four survivors injured in the attack have been receiving treatment at a hospital in Tromso.
Mr Flinders said his son was being treated at Southampton
General Hospital, while he believed that Scott Bennell-Smith, 16, from
St Mellion in Cornwall, was taken to a hospital in Plymouth.
The British Schools Exploring Society, a youth development
charity which organised the expedition, has not yet decided when the two
other Britons will fly home.
Trip leaders Michael "Spike"
Reid, 29, from Plymouth and Andrew Ruck, 27, who is from Brighton but
lives in Edinburgh, were severely injured in the bear attack, but are
now stable.
Mr Reid shot the bear dead, but was also mauled himself.
The British ambassador to Norway, Jane Owen, said it was a
priority to get the patients home as soon as possible "so that they can
be with their families as they go through the recovery process".
Mr Flinders said doctors in Southampton had told him that his
son suffered a fractured skull and that some of the polar bear's teeth
had to be removed from his head during surgery in Norway.
His parents had previously thought he had only been bitten on the arm and swiped in the face by the bear.
The 16-year-old is said to be conscious and lucid and under observation by the medical team at the hospital.
Horatio Chapple had been expected to read medicine after completing his studies at Eton
Mr Flinders earlier explained how his son had tried to defend
the group, saying he "tried to jump on it and smash the polar bear's
nose" when the animal attacked the boys in their tent.
Scott shot but did not kill the bear, which then "went for
Patrick, he bit his arm and then just swiped his face and top of his
head. And then the same with Scottie," Mr Flinders said.
Referring to a conversation he had with his son, he said: "I
told him 'you're a hero here mate, the way you attacked that bear'.
"He said he can't remember doing it, but I suppose it might come back to him later."
Doctors are set to assess Patrick on Monday in a bid to ascertain when he can be transferred home to Jersey.
Scott's father, Peter, said in a statement that Friday was the worst day of his life.
"It will never leave me to think how close Scott came to being killed that day," he said.
'Fearless and kind'
"I am so sorry for the loss of his new friend and fellow adventurer, Horatio. It is every parent's worst nightmare."
The family of Horatio paid tribute to him in a statement, describing him as "strong, fearless and kind".
They said Mr Chapple had been "so excited about his plans to
be a doctor" and praised his "amazing sense of humour and ability to
laugh at himself".
Eton College, where Mr Chapple was a pupil, expressed its
deep sadness at the schoolboy's death and offered its condolences to his
family and friends.
The attack on the campsite near the Von Post glacier about 25 miles (40km) from Longyearbyen, took place early on Friday.
The BSES, based in west London, organises scientific
expeditions to remote areas to develop teamwork and a spirit of
adventure. There were 80 people on the trip to Spitsbergen, which had
been scheduled to run until 28 August.
The charity announced on Saturday that it had decided to end
the expedition and make arrangements for the remaining members to be
brought home.
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