Dr Richard Harris – Thai cave rescue hero – appointed Lieutenant Governor of SA
The SA doctor who helped lead the extraordinary rescue of a group of children trapped in a flooded Thai cave has a top new job.
SA News
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SA’s Thai cave rescue hero Dr Richard Harris has been appointed the Lieutenant Governor of South Australia.
Dr Harris will replace Dr James Muecke who has served in the role since 2022.
An anaesthetist for more than 30 years, Dr Harris rose to worldwide fame in 2018 when he became a vital part of the rescue of twelve children trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand.
Dr Harris, who has more than 30 years’ experience as a cave diver in some of the world’s most dangerous systems, used his unique dual skills to help create a plan to rescue the boys – which involved putting them to sleep to avoid panic during the rescue.
He then led a team of experienced divers through the pitch-black, flooded, twisting tunnels, saving their lives. He was joined by his WA diving partner, retired veterinarian Dr Craig Challen. They were named joint Australians of the Year six months after the rescue.
During the extraordinary rescue – which took several days – Dr Harris trained the other cave divers to top up the boys’ ketamine during the individual rescues, which took hours.
It was the focus of multiple books – one by the two doctors – documentaries, films and a Netflix series. In one movie directed by Ron Howard, Dr Harris was played by Australian actor Joel Edgerton.
At the end of 2022, Dr Harris retired from medicine to focus on his third and fourth books, more adventure documentaries and speaking engagements, for which he's well-known.
Premier Peter Malinauskas called Dr Harris “a hero in every sense of the word”.
“He will be a fine representative of our state and deputy to our Governor,” he said.
“Dr Richard Harris has dedicated his life to helping others and I have every confidence he will serve our state with distinction as the new Lieutenant Governor of South Australia.”
Dr Harris, who will serve as deputy to Her Excellency Frances Adamson, SA Governor, said he was honoured by the appointment.
“As a proud South Australian, I am looking forward to representing our great state in this important role,” he said.
“I look forward to working with Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC and I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Dr James Muecke for his service.”
Dr Harris has participated in other complex diving recoveries, appeared in National Geographic documentaries and, in 2015, was recognised for his outstanding contribution to cave exploration. In 2017 he was awarded The Australasian Technical Diver of the Year.
Dr Harris will be sworn in by Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC at a ceremony on February 9 at Government House.
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