Honours for cave rescue heroes

FOR Richard Harris the most frightening moment of the Thai cave rescue for the Wild Boars two weeks ago wasn’t swimming through narrow passageways and pitch black water into caves that could flood at any moment.

It was the moment just before the first rescues when the veteran cave diver had to estimate how much sedative to give to a young boy who had been trapped for 16 days with little food and water.

Speaking after a special ceremony in Canberra yesterday where he and dive buddy Craig Challen were presented with the Star of Courage — Australia’s second highest civilian bravery award — Dr Harris said he was embarrassed and shocked to be awarded a bravery medal.

He described speaking extensively with specialists in Australia and Thailand about the exact dose of sedative to give the boys but told of his fear in holding the young lives in his hands.

“They were happy with the plan that we put forward — but I have never done it in the back of a cave with malnourished, skinny, dehydrated Thai kids before,” he said.

“That, for me, was the most frightening part of the week.”

Dr Challen added: “Cave diving is what we do. That bit didn’t require anything special. But what we are not used to is holding these little humans in our hands and their fate completely up to us.”

The six Australian Federal Police divers who were also involved in the rescue efforts were named for the first time yesterday as Senior Constable Justin John Bateman, Leading Senior Constable Kelly Craig Boers, Detective Leading Senior Constable Benjamin Walter Cox, First Constable Matthew Peter Fitzgerald, Acting Station Sergeant Robert Michael James and Detective Leading Senior Constable Christopher John Markcrow. The officers, and Navy officer Troy Eather, were honoured with awards.

All nine were also given Medals of the Order of Australia for services to the international community.

Governor-General Peter Cosgrove described the nine men honoured as “remarkable, skilful, tireless, compassionate and courageous”.

“Your nation is so proud of you,’’ he said.

“Today, Australia you.” salutes