Researcher Dennis Bell’s Body Recovered From Glacier After 65 Years

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Dennis “Tink” Bell has been found.

Approximately six decades following the demise of a meteorologist during an expedition near the Antarctic Peninsula, his remains were discovered by staff from the Henryk Arctowski Polish Antarctic Station, as announced by the British Antarctic Survey in a press release on August 11.

A Polish exploration team found the remains of a scientist who conducted research in Antarctica, trapped within a crack in a melting glacier, as announced by the research institute. This unfortunate incident occurred on July 26, 1959.

On January 19th, the team not only discovered the individual’s corpse (who was around 25 years old), but they also salvaged approximately 200 of his personal belongings, such as radio gear, ski poles, a watch with an engraving, and a compact knife.

In the announcement, it was stated that Dennis, along with 12 other men stationed on King George Island for two years, was en route to perform geological studies on a glacier accompanied by surveyor Jeff Stokes and sled dogs. As they climbed, they believed they had navigated past a fissure in the terrain. However, while encouraging their exhausted dogs to move forward after struggling through deep, powdery snow, Dennis unfortunately fell into a large opening.

Vivienn Fuches, a previous director at BAS, narrated the event in his book titled “Of Ice and Men”. According to reports, he described an incident where Jeff was relieved to hear Dennis speak after the drop. Jeff tossed a rope into the crevasse, but Dennis connected it to his belt rather than his body. Upon being pulled up by the dogs, his belt gave way and he fell back down the fissure. On this occasion, Dennis unfortunately didn’t answer Jeff’s calls.

When Jeff joined forces with meteorologist Ken Gibson and geologist Colin Barton, they braved the worsening weather to return to the crevasse. Despite their efforts, they struggled to locate Dennis. However, as Ken remembered in his book, “It was likely twelve hours later before we discovered the site, and under those conditions, it seemed unlikely that he could have endured.

Simultaneously, it was David Bell, Dennis’ younger brother, who was left in a state of shock upon hearing that the scientist, believed deceased for 65 years, had been discovered alive.

In a conversation with BBC News, the 86-year-old expressed that for quite some time, he had lost hope in locating his brother. He found it incredibly surprising and hard to believe, almost unreal.

He reflected on his relationship with Dennis, whom he described as “fantastic company.” 

David added, “He was very amusing. The life and soul of wherever he happened to be.”

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2025-08-13 18:47