missing explorer

I have just read he lives in his wife's country so no expense for us getting him out.

Delighted to hear he has been found - hope he gets home safely. There have always been people who are adventurers over the centuries - and life would be a lot duller if people weren't brave enough to explore some of the more remote parts of the world, and report back to us. It was his choice - his risk - and let's hope its paid off.

He really wouldn't do this as a publicity stunt; I bet it only hit the headlines because someone picked up on a comment made by a member of his family. He has always been the sort of explorer that meets up with indigenous tribes and tries to understand their way of life; he is so respectful of them and their way of life and doesn't want to 'westernise' them. I've often watched his programmes and thought 'he's not really there on his own; bet he's got a whole film crew with him' so at least I know that he really is alone. His programme with Frank Gardner was very moving.

Why do these people who want adventure and danger in their lives ever even consider having children? It's just selfish. And searching and rescuing these irresponsible people is expensive and also dangerous for others.

I'm all I favour of being adventurous, but others have to be thought of.

I am glad he has been found just for the sake of his family.
Going into this area without GPS could be that he wants to keep their whereabouts secret and stop the tribe from being visited by other explorers who could in fact bring all manner of illnesses to this remote tribe and in effect wipe them out.
On the cynical side of it yes he could be publishing a new book in readiness for his retirement fund.I hope he pays for the rescue out of his own funds.

This is a strange one. Not sure about the whole "thing" now and wonder if its been a it of a set up. Just reading some of his comments "don't try to rescue me" being one of them.

Agree with you kittylester

Irresponsible at best. Cynical at worst.

He’s at the airport and returning!

He has been sighted according to Frank Gardiner (Today R4 this morning), and is requesting rescue.

How much is it going to cost us to bring this old bloke home?

What with him and women going on 'holiday' to Iran no wonder there is no money for necessities.

Never heard of him till now, so as a publicity stunt it worked pretty well. My cynicism kicked in well they said he hadn't taken any communication or tracking equipment. No serious expedition would do that. But then there wouldn't have been a story.
I sound quite cross. I think I need coffee.

I pricked up my ears when I heard he was missing because when I was studying the environment and conservation etc., back in the nineties, our lecturer was a young woman who was absolutely besotted with Benedict Allen. We had to watch countless videos and read endless boring 'papers' whilst muttering, 'Never heard of him.'

You can probably bet your boots on it Eglantine21

I'm so cynical. I wonder if he has a book or programme coming out soon ?

Sorry merlot crossed post!

Just on the news that he has been found safe, I hope he reimburses the rescue services for their efforts.

Just on the radio - he’s been reported live and well at a remote airstrip, apparently awaiting rescue.

Apparently he's been sighted and is alive and presumably well.

I hope this isn't a stunt to promote his next book or TV documentary.

I agree, annsixty. So selfish to put his wife and young children through so much anxiety.

If what I read in the newspapers and his final tweet is true, he was a totally irresponsible man who gave no thought for his own safety or his wife and family.
Never the less for their sake I hope he turns up safe and well and then gives up his travelling.

Saw an interview with one of his colleagues who said he was attempting to contact a tribe who had had no contact with the outside world and he felt to arrive "bristling with modern technology" would not be the thing to do. He has apparently gone missing in the past so let's hope he turns up well this time too.

But isn’t GPS always available these days?

I know people who live and/or work in PNG but some areas are so remote that it is likely that he is out of contact for any number of reasons, most of them not sinister.

Why on earth didn’t he have any means of being contacted/contacting people? Sounds really selfish to me and means resources will be wasted looking for him and people who care about him being upset.

I do hope he's ok. I've always loved his programmes.