Dr Richard Harris says Thai kids were the heroes during cave rescue
ADELAIDE doctor and cave diving expert Richard Harris has praised the children he helped rescue from a Thai cave, telling of “zero visibility” for nearly 2.5km.
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ADELAIDE doctor and cave-diving expert Richard Harris has praised the children he helped rescue from a Thai cave, during a conversation with the Prime Minister.
Dr Harris, whose father died overnight, spoke with Malcolm Turnbull by telephone.
“The big heroes in this are these children and the former Thai Navy seals who were looking after them,’’ Dr Harris told Mr Turnbull.
“They’re the toughest blokes and kids I’ve ever had the privilege to meet.
“They are the ones who were responsible for their own morale and really their own safety.
“And without them being in the state they’re in we couldn’t have done anything — so that’s where all the credit really lies.”
Dr Harris was instrumental in rescuing the boys and their coach, who had been trapped in the flooded cave for more than two weeks.
Dr Harris said the last 200 metres underwater when leaving the cave system had been the most difficult and involved twisting sideways through holes in zero visibility.
“Basically the entire dive, 2.5km from the back of the cave is in zero visibility from the mud and clay,” Dr Harris said.
“So you’re following the (guide) line with your hand and you basically might as well have your closed with a small boy being cradled in your arms and feeling your way through rocks and posting yourself sideways through little holes.”
Mr Turnbull expressed his condolences to Dr Harris for the death of his father overnight, which came after the successful operation to rescue the junior soccer team, and praised the doctor and Australian divers involved in the rescue effort.
“Thank you so much for your extraordinary work and we know it’s a tough time for you.”
During the conversation he also spoke to an unnamed AFP diver, who lauded the sacrifice paid by the Thai Navy seals — who lost one of their own.
“They are very strong — the morale and understanding of the Thai sacrifice that was required for them to achieve this, this was part of them doing their duty,” the unnamed Australian Federal Police diver said.
“Although they are all very sad at their loss, they believe they were serving the nation’s intent in order to get the children out.”