British Explorer's Remains Rediscovered in Melting Antarctic Glacier After 65 Years

The bones of Dennis "Tink" Bell, who perished in a crevasse at the age of 25 while on assignment, were uncovered by Polish researchers.

In an astonishing turn of events, the remains of Dennis "Tink" Bell, a British explorer who tragically fell into a crevasse in Antarctica in 1959, have surfaced after 65 years, revealing a tale of adventure and loss. Discovered by a Polish Antarctic research team from the Henryk Arctowski station in January, Dennis's bones were located alongside personal items including a wristwatch, a radio, and a pipe. His brother, David Bell, now 86, expressed disbelief and gratitude at the news, stating, "I had long given up on finding my brother. It is just remarkable, astonishing. I can't get over it."

Born in 1934, Dennis Bell was stationed at a small UK base on King George Island, engaged in groundbreaking research for what would later become the British Antarctic Survey. Known for his sense of humor and love of husky dogs, he perished during a surveying trip shortly after his 25th birthday when he fell into the crevasse and tragically could not be rescued. Despite the despair, his contributions to Antarctic research lived on in the memories of his colleagues and family.

David Bell recounted the harrowing moment of receiving the telegram about his brother's death back in 1959, recalling the deep impact it had on their family. "It was a horrendous moment," he said, reflecting on their childhood filled with adventure and affection for Dennis's spirited personality. The base camp reports of that fateful day reveal the desperate attempts to save Dennis, but despite the efforts, he was lost to the icy depths.

After decades of uncertainty, the team of Polish researchers undertook multiple trips to carefully retrieve Dennis's remains from the glacier. They noted that climate change continues to reshape the Antarctic landscape, bringing forth remnants of the past. David expressed long-held sorrow that his parents did not live to see this day, planning to lay Dennis to rest in England. "It's wonderful; I'm going to meet my brother," he said, finding consolation in the chance to bring his brother "home" after so many years.