Thai cave rescue – Aussie doc stayed in caves to save Thai kids while his dad was dying in hospital
Dr Richard Harris, from Adelaide, Australia, was the last person to leave the treacherous tunnel network in northern Thailand yesterday
A DOCTOR who risked his life to help save the boys trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand lost his own father during the rescue, it has emerged.
Richard Harris, from Adelaide, Australia, was the last person to leave the dark tunnel network in Chiang Rai yesterday after the 12 lads and their football coach had been saved.
Not only did the heroic doctor and experienced diver stay with the kids to support them he also reportedly persuaded rescuers to change their strategy and pull the weakest boys out first.
But it has now emerged that Dr Harris’ own father died shortly after the last of the stricken group were freed from the cave.
The courageous medic’s boss Andrew Peace, of South Australia's ambulance service, released a statement confirming how difficult the news has been for the hero and his family.
He said: “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 says the anaesthetist, known as Harry, would return to his home in Adelaide soon but did not say how his father had died and asked for the family's privacy to be respected.
He added: "It has been a tumultuous week with highs and lows.
"Harry is a quiet and kind man who did not think twice about offering his support on this mission."
Dr Harris had been on holiday in Thailand when he heard of the young football team’s plight in the dangerous Tham Luang cave network.
In 2011, the adventurer had to rescue the body of his pal and fellow diver Agnes Milowka who had suffocated to death in a cave network in South Australia.
He has also provided medical assistance to rescue operations during natural disasters in the Pacific region.
What British Divers were involved in the rescue?
Richard Stanton and John Volanthen
The Brit scuba divers were the first to discover the desperate lads trapped 2.5miles down the Tham Luang cave system.
The heroes are members of South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue team, one of 15 such emergency rescue groups in the UK.
Robert Harper
Mr Harper, 70, is a cave diving expert who oversaw the mission to locate the lost boys.
He was thanked by Thai authorities and given a hero's send-off as he departed.
Sports minister Weerasak Kowsurat said he showed "dedication to duty and professionalism".
Chris Jewell
Mr Jewell is a member of the Cave Diving Group, Britain's oldest association of underground divers.
Jason Mallison
Mr Mallison is also a member of the Cave Diving Group.
He joined Mr Stanton and Mr Volanthen in 2010 when when they broke the record for the longest ever cave dive - swimming 4.4miles.
Tim Acton
Mr Acton, 39, moved from his native Essex to run a holiday complex in Thailand with his wife, Took.
He was inside the cave system several times during the operation.
Speaking with Nine News, Chiang Rai governor and rescue chief Narongsak Osotanakorn praised Dr Harris.
He said: “(The Australians) have been a big help, especially the doctor. Very good. The very best.”
Aussie Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop said: “"[He] is an extraordinary Australian and he has certainly made a big difference to the rescue effort here in Thailand.”
Ms Bishop also heaped praise on his diving partner Craig Challen, a vet from Perth, who also ventured into the treacherous cave complex to help the kids.
Harris’ pal Sue Crowe explained how the heroic doctor was ideally suited to help the rescue operation.
She told the BBC: "He is brilliant with children, and he would have made sure that they were prepared in the best possible way from a cave-diving perspective.
"He would have been the perfect person to support them."
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