Judge to chair inquiry into polar bear attack

A HIGH Court judge will chair an independent inquiry into the death of an Eton schoolboy killed by a polar bear during a trekking expedition to the arctic, it was announced.

By The Newsroom

Published 10th Sep 2011, 07:00 BST

Horatio Chapple, 17, was killed and three friends injured when the bear launched the night-time attack on the Norwegian island of Svalbard.

The 13-strong group from the British Schools Exploring Society (BSES) were sleeping in their tents on the remote Von Postbreen glacier near Longyearbyen when the 250kg bear struck at around 7.30am on August 5.

Yesterday, the BSES announced Sir David Steel will preside over the inquiry, due to begin next month, and publish his findings in the New Year.

Sir David, 68, will take up the post when he retires from the High Court. The inquiry will run with the co-operation of the Wiltshire coroner who opened and adjourned the inquest into Horatio’s death.

The BSES said a webpage will be set up allowing people to contribute to the inquiry.

High Court