09/06/2003

Famous explorer critical but stable after heart surgery

World-famous adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes is in intensive care today after he collapsed boarding a flight from Bristol on Saturday.

He was taken to Bristol Royal Infirmary where surgeons carried out a triple-heart by-pass operation on the explorer. The 59-year-old is now said to be in a critical but stable condition in intensive care.

Sir Ranulph's CV includes travelling up the White Nile in a hovercraft; parachuting onto Europe’s highest glacier; forcing his way up 4,000 miles of the mightiest rivers of Canada and Alaska; trekking on foot and unsupported to the North Pole; and the great Transglobe expedition in which Fiennes and his companion Charles Burton became the first men in history to reach both Poles.

Initially, he joined the Scots Greys in the 60s before joining the SAS regiment. He was then the youngest captain in the British Army but was dismissed for blowing up the film set of 'Doctor Doolittle'.

After two years with the Sultan of Oman’s forces, he began his series of expeditions.

In 1993, the Queen awarded Sir Ranulph the OBE for human endeavour and charitable services. His expeditions to date have raised over £5 million for charity.

He has published 12 books including 'The Feather Men', which was a UK and Commonwealth Number One Bestseller.

(GMcG)

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