Father of Dr Richard Harris, Adelaide cave diving expert who played vital role in Thai rescue, has died
THE father of Dr Richard Harris, the Adelaide cave diving expert who was a vital part of the Thailand rescue, has died. He passed away soon after the successful completion of the Tham Luang caves mission where 12 children and their soccer coach were safely rescued.
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AS tears of relief and joy flowed at the conclusion to the Thai cave rescue that enthralled the world, hero Australian doctor Richard Harris soon learned the tragic news of his father’s death.
MedSTAR Director of Clinical Services Dr Andrew Pearce on Wednesday confirmed Dr Harris, known as Harry, had endured a “tumultuous week with highs and lows”.
The doctor’s father, James (Jim) Harris, a renowned former vascular surgeon and senior consultant at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, had died.
“It is with great sadness that I confirm that Harry’s dad passed away last night a short time after the successful rescue operation in Thailand,” he said.
“I have spoken with Harry. This is clearly a time of grief for the Harris family, magnified by the physical and emotional demands of being part of this week’s highly complex and ultimately successful rescue operation.”
Dr Pearce said Dr Harris would have made his father proud.
“The pride of a father to see how a son develops I think is extremely important,” he said.
“Harry’s dad would have been extremely proud that he would have put himself out there to do what he’s able to do.
“If you could imagine being physically and mentally exhausted through going through a rescue and … you’ve given your all and then you find out the sad news about your father, who’s your best mate, that’s really, really tough.”
Dr Harris, a 53-year-old South Australian anaesthetist and experienced cave diver, swam into the cave with a Thai medical team to triage the 12 members of the Wild Boars soccer team and their coach who became trapped in the Tham Luang cave on June 23.
Dr Harris administered a sedative to each of the boys before they left the ledge where they sheltered inside the mountain cave in order to alleviate any panic.
He was specifically requested to help with the rescue mission and left the cave only when the last boy was rescued each day.
The Thai Navy Seals who conducted with rescue with Dr Harris also expressed their sadness for the Adelaide doctor on their Facebook page.
“Our condolences to Dr Richard Harris, one of the leading rescuers, whose father just passed away hours after his rescue mission had been completed.
“We wish you the best for this very tough time. We never thank you enough for what you’ve done for the kids, their families and Thailand. Thank you, Richard and thank you, Australia!”
“He said it was tough and it was, to use the British diver’s words, gnarly and it was under gruelling circumstances and that’s basically about it,” Dr Pearce said.
“You’ll find people that do this kind of work don’t actively speak long and hard about what they do and how they do it, they just get on with the job and get the job done and make sure they’re able to look after people.
“Harry is a quiet and kind man who did not think twice about offering his support on this mission. He will be coming home soon and taking some well-earned time off to be with his family.”
James Harris, who was 88, was born in Renmark and met his wife, Marion, during his postgraduate surgical training at a hospital in central England. They had three children together – Amanda, Christina and Richard.
Peter Harbison, his best friend for 80 years and best man at his wedding, said James Harris was aware of his son being in Thailand helping the rescue of the soccer team.
“He was a brilliant vascular surgeon who loved his racing, golf and fishing and he was a very popular man,” he said.
“We had a good bit of fun during our time together … and he had a great life.”
Dr Pearce said the SA Ambulance Service was incredibly proud of Dr Harris.
“We are delighted that Harry and the boys are safe and that he was able to play such a remarkable role in the Australian response,” Dr Pearce said.
The final four boys and their coach were escorted from the cave on Tuesday night — 18 days after they first became trapped.
They joined their eight teammates at Chiang Rai Hospital where they are expected to be kept for observation for a week.
South Australian Opposition leader Peter Malinauskas paid his condolences to the Adelaide anaesthetist and said the entire state was proud of his service.
“Our condolences to Adelaide anaesthetist Dr Richard Harris and his family on the passing of his father, at a time when the world celebrates good news for families of 12 young boys in Thailand,” a statement read.
“We thank Dr Harris for his extraordinary contribution to this week’s rescue of the boys and their coach from flooded mountain caves in extreme and dangerous circumstances.
“All South Australians are proud of the Ambulance Service’s MedSTAR emergency medical retrieval team and their unit head, Dr Harris.”