北极熊袭击英国少年

As more and more detail emerges about the attack that has claimed his life, the family of Horatio Chapple released this picture of the 17-year-old adventurer. In a statement they said: "Horatio was so excited about his plans to be a doctor. Strong, fearless and kind with an amazing sense of humour and an ability to laugh at himself. He was on the cusp of adulthood and had a clear vision of where his life was going."

We now know that he was in a group of 13 when a polar bear struck. The trip-wire they deployed around their camp reportedly failed, leaving the bear free to attack them.

"Based on the advice of Svalbard authorities and taking account the wishes of our group leaders, BSES has made the decision to end this expedition. Police, local authorities, group leaders and BSES feel it would be wrong to continue their expedition in the light of the tragic incident at Svalbard yesterday morning."

The two tour leaders and two teenagers who were severely injured have now undergone surgery in the University Hospital in Tromso, on the Norwegian mainland. They’ve been visited by the British ambassador.

"I was so struck by how strong they were even although they had sustained injuries. And they were all communicating, and giving me the thumbs-up and saying you know we are going to get through this, we are going to recover. And they are in a severe but stable condition."

Questions are now being asked about how prepared they were for the threats posed by Norway’s Arctic wilderness.

"They are very effective hunters. And the danger for people traveling in the natural habitat of bears is that they also could be seen as prey. It’s very rare. I mean there have been in Svalbard which has, you know, a big human population and a big polar population. There've been I think 5 attacks since 1970s."

The group took this photo before they set off from their expedition. The investigation into how it ended so tragically continues.