We’re not heroes, say British divers

THE daring British divers who played key roles in the rescue last night rejected suggestions that they are heroes who should be knighted.

‘It’s not like that – if you could do the same for someone else’s child, you would,’ said John Volanthen, 47, an IT consultant from Bristol. ‘The result is the important thing. The kids came out, the coach is good, the [Thai navy] Seals are good – job done. So we’re pleased with that.’ Retired Coventry firefighter Rick Stanton, 56, said: ‘It seems to have lifted the whole country. It all went according to plan. The boys did well.’

The pair initially located the boys and their coach, then led their rescue through a flooded cave two-and-a-half miles inside a mountain.

Another of the British divers involved in the rescue, Jason Mallinson, 50, from Huddersfield, insisted: ‘We’re not heroes.’