Polar Bear Attack: Survivors On Way Home

Two of the four injured victims of a polar bear attack, which killed a 17-year-old British student, are returning home today.

Patrick Flinders, 16, and Scott Bennell-Smith, 17, will travel back to Britain in the care of a specialist medical evacuation team, the British Schools Exploring Society (BSES) said.

The pair, who have been receiving treatment at a Norwegian hospital since the attack, will be admitted to a UK hospital on their return.

Michael Reid, 29, the expedition leader who shot the bear, and Andy Ruck, 27, will return to the UK on a separate flight when medical authorities believe it is appropriate for them to do so, BSES said.

Mr Reid, who lives in London and works as an events co-ordinator for the Royal Geographical Society, sustained injuries to his face and neck.

Mr Ruck, believed to be from Aberdeen, was also seriously hurt.

Scott, from Cornwall, and Patrick, from Jersey, who is said to have punched the bear on the nose, sustained less serious wounds.

A spokesman for Devonport High School for Boys in Plymouth where Scott is a pupil said he had suffered a fractured jaw and other head injuries, including the loss of some teeth.

Jane Owen, the British ambassador to Norway, visited the four survivors and said they were all coping well.

The group were part of a five-member expedition team researching climate change by studying glaciers and documenting changes since previous expeditions.

They were camping on the Von Postbreen glacier near Longyearbyen in Svalbard when the polar bear attacked on Friday.

Eton student Horatio Chapple, from Salisbury in Wiltshire, was killed by the 250kg predator.

His body was due to be transported from Svalbard to Tromso by plane yesterday.

BSES said it had decided to end the expedition on the advice of the Svalbard authorities and in accordance with the wishes of the group leaders.

Police are investigating the incident.

A spokesman for the governor of Svalbard said: "It is now known that the polar bear was killed by a single rifle shot. It has now been transported to Longyearbyen and will be investigated by specialists."