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Horatio Chapple death: Polar bear attack narrative verdict Horatio Chapple death: Polar bear attack narrative verdict
(34 minutes later)
Failures by an expedition company did not cause the death of a British teenager mauled by a polar bear in Norway, a coroner has said.Failures by an expedition company did not cause the death of a British teenager mauled by a polar bear in Norway, a coroner has said.
Horatio Chapple, 17, from Salisbury, died while on an adventure holiday to Svalbard with the British Schools Exploring Society in August 2011.Horatio Chapple, 17, from Salisbury, died while on an adventure holiday to Svalbard with the British Schools Exploring Society in August 2011.
He suffered fatal injuries after being dragged out of his tent. The Eton schoolboy was was killed by the bear as he emerged from his tent.
Assistant coroner Ian Singleton returned a narrative verdict after the five-week inquest. The coroner said neglect was not "appropriate to be considered as (BSES) failure was not total or complete".
The coroner found that although the group was missing items of equipment, including parts of the tripwire alert system, British Schools Exploring Society (BSES) had not acted with neglect. However, Ian Singleton pointed out that the group had been missing items of equipment, including parts of the tripwire alert system.
He said: "I do not find that neglect is appropriate to be considered, as failure (by BSES) was not total or complete." In a statement released after the coroner's narrative verdict, the Chapple family said: "We would urge parents to question the organisations who may be taking responsibility for the lives of their children.
Four others were seriously hurt before the bear was shot by a group leader. "Ask the uncomfortable questions and only trust if you are completely satisfied with the answers. Our solace is the 17 years of love, kindness and courage, which Horatio gave to so many of us."
More follows. 'Aggressive and unpredictable'
Returning his verdict, Mr Singleton said Horatio had been in a tent on a snow bridge near the Von Post Glacier on 5 August when the attack happened.
The coroner said: "A polar bear was able to enter the camp shortly before 7.30am undetected as the tripwire alarm system around the perimeter of the camp had failed to activate due to a supporting post more likely than not being knocked over by the bear which caused the cartridge to move or fall out of the mine without it detonating.
"Horatio emerged from his tent and was in the act of standing up when the bear reared up and slammed down on him with its paws pushing Horatio to the ground where the bear then mauled his head, face and neck, causing the injury which lead to Horatio's death.
"At the time of the attack the polar bear was 24 years of age, hungry and in pain from bad teeth which more likely than not made it more aggressive and unpredictable," the coroner said at the conclusion of the five-week hearing.
Four others were seriously hurt before the bear was shot by a group leader at the camp site where the group, known as Chanzin Fire, had been staying.
The other injured men were trip leaders Michael Reid, 29, from Plymouth and Andrew Ruck, 27, from Brighton but who now lives in Edinburgh.
Trip members Patrick Flinders, 17, from Jersey, and 16-year-old Scott Bennell-Smith from Cornwall, were also hurt in the attack.