SYDNEY: An Australian doctor who looked after a young Thai football team during their harrowing cave ordeal emerged from the flooded underground complex on Tuesday to the sad news that his own father had died.
Richard Harris, a world-renowned medic and diver whose presence in the dramatic rescue of the Wild Boars squad was specially requested by experts, was reportedly the last person to leave the water-logged cavern on Tuesday.
Richard Harris, a world-renowned medic and diver. (Photo from Richard Harris Facebook account)
"Harry", as he is known in the global caving community, cancelled a planned holiday and jetted in to northern Thailand as part of the international team trying to get the youngsters out of the Tham Luang cave.
Australian media said he put his own life at risk to venture four kilometres into the flooded cave in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai to medically assess the 12 boys and their coach each day after they were found, giving final approval on their fitness to be taken out.
His presence was specifically requested by the British diving team for his skills in cave diving rescue and his expertise in hyperbaric medicine.
Broadcaster ABC said it was also Harris who decided in what order they should leave, in an operation that culminated in joy on Tuesday when the Navy Seals declared the whole team was safely out, 18 days after the ordeal began.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said she understood Harris, part of a 20-strong Australian team who descended on the Chang Rai area, was the last person to emerge from the cave late on Tuesday as the boys were recuperating in hospital.
The following message of condolence was posted, in English, on the ThaiNavySeal Facebook page on Wednesday:
"Our condolences to Doctor 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!"
But while the rescue had a happy ending, there was personal sadness for the Adelaide-based anaesthetist when he learned that his father 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," said Andrew Pearce, head of clinical services at SAAS MedSTAR, where Harris works.
"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."
The circumstances of his father's death are not known, but Pearce said he was not sick when his son left on his dangerous mission.
The Australian Medical Association described Harris as "an amazing doctor and human being", but the anaesthetist insisted he was not the hero of the piece.
"The big heroes in this are the children and the four Thai Navy Seals who were looking after them," he told Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in a Skype call on Wednesday.
"They're the toughest blokes and kids I have ever had the privilege to meet. They were the ones responsible for their own morale and safety."
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop hailed Harris -- who has previously helped the government during natural disaster aid missions in the Pacific -- for being an "integral part of the rescue attempt".
She said his role had been "quite extraordinary" and the government planned to formally honour all the Australians who took part in the rescue, including his diving partner Craig Challen, who accompanied Harris into the caves.
The children aged from 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old coach, ventured into the cave in the mountainous north on June 23 after football practice and got trapped when heavy rains caused flooding that forced them to take shelter on a muddy ledge.
They spent nine days in darkness until two British divers found them, before a drawn-out rescue that captivated global attention.
