Explorer Robin Hanbury-Tenison is critically ill with Covid-19, just days after he was ‘skiing like a demon’, his family said.
The 83-year-old fell ill on Monday – two days after returning from a skiing trip to France with his wife, Louella, 68.
He was rushed from their home near Bodmin Moor, in Cornwall, to Derriford Hospital, Plymouth. The adventurer, who went by jeep from London to Sri Lanka, was put onto a ventilator.
Explorer Robin Hanbury-Tenison is critically ill with Covid-19, just days after he was ‘skiing like a demon’, his family said
His latest publication, Taming the Four Horsemen, is a call to arms to save mankind from threats including global pandemics.
The 83-year-old (pictured) fell ill on Monday – two days after returning from a skiing trip to France with his wife, Louella, 68
Mrs Hanbury-Tenison said: ‘He was skiing like a demon on the Friday, now he is extremely ill. If somebody like Robin, who is incredibly fit, can be knocked down like a bowling pin, anybody can be.’
Mrs Hanbury-Tenison is in self-isolation and unable to visit her husband because of the risk of infection.
Their son, Merlin, and his wife, Lizzie, who is 26 weeks pregnant – neither were on the trip – are also in isolation in another house on the farm.
Mr Hanbury-Tenison, an adventurer, anthropologist and environmentalist, has an international reputation following 60 years’ work travelling in some of the most remote parts of the world and studying indigenous people.
He is president of Survival International, a charity that is a global movement for tribal people and has written more than 20 books.
Mr Hanbury-Tenison, an adventurer, anthropologist and environmentalist, has an international reputation following 60 years’ work travelling in some of the most remote parts of the world and studying indigenous people. Pictured: Mr Hanbury-Tenison in 1972
Speaking as the book was released last month, Mr Hanbury-Tenison said he was taken aback by the developing pace of dangers such as climate change and ‘now we have the horrible new coronavirus’.
Mrs Hanbury-Tenison said they returned last Saturday and her husband complained of feeling exhausted on the Sunday morning and stayed in bed.
She added: ‘On Monday he got up feeling much better. I noticed his hands were shaking. His temperature was up a bit and his pulse was a bit high.
‘He went for a walk around the garden and he came back short of breath.’
Mrs Hanbury-Tenison phoned NHS 111 and after some details were taken she was called back five hours later and told to call 999.
She said: ‘Robin was still perky, he’d had some supper and was watching television. We felt a bit embarrassed by the fuss.
‘I have not been able to see him since. Nobody has. A friend who is a consultant in the hospital said she would go and see him but she was not allowed in.
Speaking as the book was released last month, Mr Hanbury-Tenison said he was taken aback by the developing pace of dangers such as climate change and ‘now we have the horrible new coronavirus’. Pictured: Mr Hanbury-Tenison and his first wife Marika in 1970
‘The staff are amazing. He is getting such incredible care. I think he is lucky because there were only four people in there with the virus when he went in.
‘I asked if they would have to take him off the ventilator if some young people come in. They laughed and said, “no, of course not”.
‘It is very worrying. There is going to be a great wave of cases but it doesn’t seem real until there is somebody you know who has this.
‘They say that elderly people are more at risk, and people with underlying health conditions.
‘Robin is incredibly fit for his age and he does not have any health problems. As long as this does not get into his heart or kidneys he has a very good chance of getting better.
‘I had cry this morning. I feel quite well. I have had more than 100 messages of support. Robin would be humbled and mortified in equal portion if he knew.
‘This is a real lesson. Tell people, “You mustn’t go out. Don’t go to the pub. You have no idea if you are infected. You are putting other people in danger”.
‘This is real. This will happen to many more people. This virus is not a joke. It is incredibly savage and brutal. It comes out of nowhere.’