I’d like to be reunited with Thai cave boys..
Humble hero diver Jim says seeing group again would be ‘emotional’
Jim in scuba gear HERO diver Jim Warny wants to be reunited with the 12 Thai boys and their football coach he helped rescue from a flooded cave.
He said he hopes the young soccer team guided from Tham Luang Cave in Chang Rai are “taken care of psychologically”.
The dad of one volunteered to help with the miraculous rescue in the summer following a request from the British Cave Rescue Council.
The courageous actions of Clarebased Jim and the seven-man team have been widely praised and on Monday night his fellow rescuers were reunited with the boys at an awards ceremony.
He said: “I wasn’t invited to the Pride Of Britain awards because I’m not British. It’s a pity because it was only later on in the event the boys were there.
“I wasn’t disappointed [not to be invited to the event] but I was disappointed I didn’t get to meet the boys, but I’ll get my chance.
“It would be very nice and it would be an emotional moment, one of the most emotional moments in the aftermath.”
Jim added he hasn’t been in touch with the lads since the rescue captured worldwide attention last July.
The Belgian national and Lufthansa technician said: “That is all done
Boys and family watch Man United at Old Trafford Team rescue one of boys through the Thai Government. I spoke to the British divers before the awards, but I haven’t spoken to them since.
“I am just as eager as anyone else to find out how it went.”
Jim, who has been living in Ennis for a decade, added the boys’ trip to see their idols Manchester United play at Old Trafford and their recognition was “well-deserved” after their ordeal.
He said: “But it’s kind of mixed feelings because they have been through a lot of stress and it’s a big change in your life when you become a centrepoint that the media get attracted to. So, for us it was Jim Warny hard to deal with because we’re not used to it and I can only think it was for them as well.
“Of course it’s lovely they get to see their soccer heroes and all of that stuff, and I’m sure they’re truly grateful, but hopefully there’s a good thing behind them that takes care of them psychologically and looks after their long-term future.”
Jim added the “recognition” he has received has been “humbling”.
He said: “I’m very grateful. I had a civic reception organised by Clare County Council, all the local cavers and the Irish Cave Rescue have been very supportive and kind to me.
“And the Belgian Embassy in Dublin is going to be giving me a medal on November 22.”