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Last Kon-Tiki raft crewman Knut Haugland dies

Knut Haugland. File photo
Mr Haugland died of natural causes in Oslo

Knut Haugland - the last of the six crewmen who crossed the Pacific Ocean on the Kon-Tiki balsa wood raft in 1947 - has died aged 92.

The explorer died of natural causes in Oslo's hospital, the Kon-Tiki museum director said.

The expedition was launched from Peru by anthropologist Thor Heyerdahl to demonstrate that South Americans could have settled Polynesia.

The Kon-Tiki sailed with basic equipment some 8,000 km (4,900 miles).

Five of the crew were Norwegian, like Mr Haugland, and one man, Bengt Danielsson, was from Sweden.

During World War II, Mr Haugland was member of the Norwegian resistance movement.

He was honoured by Britain for his role in helping to disrupt Nazi plans to create nuclear weapons.



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SEE ALSO
In pictures: Kon-Tiki voyage recreation
28 Apr 06 |  In Pictures
Explorer Thor Heyerdahl dies
18 Apr 02 |  Europe



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