TRIUMPH & TRAGEDY
“It’s amazing what the human being can do.”
IT took 13 countries to pull the 13 Wild Boars out of the flooded cave — along with some 2000 people and a whole lot of planning, good fortune and goodwill.
The images of the boys, found alive and well, perched on a muddy shelf amid rising waters nine days after they were lost on June 23, was initial cause for celebration. But those who know the treachery of underground caves knew a challenge lay ahead.
Heavy rains were coming; there was a chance the boys were already suffering pneumonia or waterborne disease; and the Tham Luang’s 10km cave system was not properly mapped.
Thailand’s friends reacted immediately and the Chiang Rai region’s departing governor, Narongsak Osotthanakorn, made sure they were welcome — so long as they were true professionals, not attention seekers.
Divers and disaster experts were quickly identified from a range of countries, Australia included, and converged on the rugged Chiang Rai region of northern Thailand to give the help was urgently needed.
More than 100 Royal Thai Navy SEALs were already in place, having made preliminary expeditions into the cave, fast becoming inundated with rushing waters. They were backed by 1000 Thai military, plus hundreds of volunteers.
All options were on the table, including trying to locate a shaft to tunnel down to the boys.
But diving them out was the fastest, and riskiest, method. As university types cautioned against the water extraction, Mr Narongsak knew it was the best hope.
A strategy was quickly agreed. Air tanks would be positioned along the route. A safety guide line would be fastened through the tunnels. A core group of 19 divers to rescue the boys were identified.
And for each plan, a second and third contingency put in place should any link in the chain fail.
The six AFP and one Defence divers would not be among them — and that was no slap in the face.
They had been involved in exploratory dives but when duties were divided up, it was decided they would be located at base camps two and three, within the cave, moving tonnes of equipment, including food and tanks.
One Australian, an anaesthetist and cave diving expert, Richard Harris, would go to the frontline.
His task would be to check the boys and administer a mild sedative before departure — enough so they would relax and not panic.
With the world watching, and three Thai Navy SEALs at his side, Dr Harris needed to keep his head.
“The amount of weight and pres- sure that was pushed on him, and the role he played, I have the utmost respect for everything he’s done,” said the ADF’s Major Alex Rubin.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull acknowledged Dr Harris and everything that was achieved by the entire team.
“It’s one of the most heroic and inspiring episodes of our time,” Mr Turnbull said.
Reflecting on the rescue, Australian Federal Police commander Glen McEwen said the event was a once-ina-lifetime testament to people working together without ego or pride.
“It’s amazing what the human being can do,” Mr McEwen said. “There were extraordinary people doing extraordinary things. And when you have a common purpose, particularly when there’s a human element, everyone steps up.
“The complexity, scale and risk of the operation was unprecedented.
“The close working relationship, which quickly developed between all parties, both government and civilian, led to the successful outcome we have seen during this rescue operation.”
Asked how he scored to difficulty of the mission on a scale of one to 10, he said: “10.”
The children are well. Better than well.
They are in Chiang Rai hospital, isolated and but for some minor and manageable issues, all clear.
Mr McEwen said it was an honour to work with the Thais, whom he described as highly focused.
And he acknowledged the children, who had lived through terror yet somehow stayed mentally strong.
“Returning the Wild Boars soccer team safely into the arms of their loved ones is the good news of the year,” he said.