Divers tell of rescue as world celebrates

CHIANG RAI: Australian divers have told of the dramatic rescue of 12 boys and their football coach trapped in a Thai cave system as each was passed ‘‘hand to hand’’ on stretchers between the rescuers to get them out.

At a briefing by three Australian divers yesterday, one estimated the boys might have passed through 150 pairs of hands in chamber three, after two divers accompanied each of them out of two inner chambers.

The coach and the last three boys were extracted from the cave on Tuesday evening as the rescue, dubbed ‘‘mission impossible’’ concluded to jubilation in Thailand and around the world.

Those rescued are recovering in a Chiang Rai hospital.

Thai Navy Seals led the operation helped by divers and medical support staff from the UK, Australia, Europe and China.

The 13 from the Mu Pa Wild Boars team were stranded by rising waters 4km into the cave system on June 23 and faced a treacherous journey out through murky water and narrow flooded sections.

Six Australian Federal Police divers, one military, and anaesthetist and experienced diver Dr Richard Harris, supported by a friend from Perth, Craig Challen, were in the Australian rescue effort.

Dr Harris played a crucial role in the rescue effort after assessing the boys on Saturday and ruling them well enough to be dived out of the cave.

Joy over the rescue was marred by news yesterday his father had died in Adelaide shortly after the rescue was completed.

The Australian divers who usually perform ‘‘black water’’, or zero visibility operations, use heavier dive equipment and were limited in getting through smaller spaces.

Dr Harris said a roar like a ‘‘Mexican wave’’ echoed along the chamber when the final navy Seal emerged.

AFP commander Glen McEwen said the biggest challenge for the Australian divers, who spent 75 hours in the cave, was moving 20 tonnes of industrialsized pumps, oxygen, medical supplies and food into the labyrinth.

‘‘It’s probably the most monumental and inspirational effort they’ve ever been a part of.’’ — AAP

PHOTO: REUTERS Shipping out . . . The last four Thai Navy Seal divers celebrate making it out safely of the cave after the rescue.

The Otago Daily Times produced a second edition early yesterday morning to report on the successful rescue of the Thai schoolboys and their soccer coach.