Australian hero doctor Dr Richard Harris’ secret to helping Thai boys get out of a cave

ONE of the divers who first discovered the Wild Boars soccer team has revealed more detail about the mission, as the Thai Navy SEALs received a heroes’ welcome.

ONE of the British divers who first discovered the 12 boys and their soccer coach inside a Thai cave has revealed another secret to their successful mission.

John Volanthen, 47, who found the boys in the Tham Luang Cave system with Rick Stanton, 56, said that Australia’s hero doctor Dr Richard ‘Harry’ Harris had a great rapport with the boys that helped in getting them out.

His Aussie accent also intrigued the boys while trapped underground, which they found “relaxing and reassuring”.

Mr Volanthen was quizzed as he landed back in Heathrow about the rescue, where he revealed more details about Dr Harris’ role during the rescue mission.

When asked what he said to the boys before bringing them out, he replied: “Dr Harry, the Australian doctor, he’s very good, he’s got a very good bedside manner, he’s got a very bouncy Australian accent, and they seemed to find that quite relaxing and reassuring.”

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Richard Stanton, left, and John Volanthen in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai. Picture: AP

Dr Richard Harris, a doctor from South Australia and an anaesthetist with diving experience. Picture: AAP

The insight comes as Thai and foreign rescuers of the youth soccer team trapped in a cave for 18 days headed home.

Members of the Thai navy SEAL team who were among the first searchers to penetrate the watery depth of Tham Luang Nang Non cave and the last divers out flew on Thursday to their base at Sattahip on the Gulf of Thailand, where they received a heroes’ welcome.

Foreign helpers, including some of the world’s best cave divers, also began their journeys home.

Doctors treating the 12 boys and their coach who survived their misadventure said their health is normal, although a few have low fevers and mild ear infections.

Yesterday Dr Harris and his diving partner said the rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach was almost beyond their imagination.

Dr Harris, who was hailed a “hero of the Thai people”, sent out a message of thanks with his friend, retired Perth vet Craig Challen.

They thanked the soccer team for “placing their trust” in them to get out safely.

They were among 20 Australians involved in the rescue effort, and were photographed alongside medical staff at Chiang Rai Hospital yesterday.

Dr Richard Harris from the Australian Medical Assistance Team and his diver partner, Craig Challen, with medical staff caring for the rescued children in Chang Rai hospital. Picture: Supplied

“We particularly would like to thank the players and their coach for placing their trust in us. We wish them a speedy recovery,” they said in a statement.

They also thanked those who sent messages of support.

“The favourable outcome that has been achieved is almost beyond our imagination when we first became involved in this operation,” they said.

Dr Harris and Mr Challen were about to go on a holiday to the Nullarbor together when their plans changed on Thursday last week.

They went to Thailand within an hour of being called to assist.

The pair also acknowledged the “vast number of participants from military and civilian organisations in various support roles”.

Australian Dr Richard Harris (right), along with his dive partner Craig Challen. Picture: AAP

“Additionally, we were only a small part of an Australian contingent comprising personnel from DFAT, AFP, and ADF who performed valuable roles,” they said.

“Our thanks and greatest admiration go the British lead divers, and support divers along the route in and out of the cave system from the EU, US, China and Australia, as well as the vast number of participants from military and civilian organisations in various support roles.

“We are humbled to have been able to provide our expertise and experience to assist in this international operation led by the Thai government.”

Members of the "Wild Boars" football team being treated at a hospital in Chiang Rai. Picture: AFP

Mr Challen’s partner Heather Endall said he had initially doubted the rescue operation would end well.

“He did hold concerns for the whole situation. I think he went over there with a bit of a pessimistic view — he thought it was going to be a real challenge to get the boys out alive,” she said.

“He didn’t actually display any regard for his own safety.”

Dr Harris was the last person out of the cave following the risky mission. He later found out his 88-year-old father had died.

He is now said to be on his way back to Australia.