The rescuers Britain’s crack team of expert divers

Vernon Unsworth

A caver from St Albans who has been exploring the Tham Luang Cave for six years, he convinced Thai authorities to call in British experts when Thai Navy Seals found the water too muddy.

John Volanthen

IT consultant took up diving as a boy scout and went to university in Leicester. One of the “A Team” of British cave divers contacted by Unsworth to find the boys.

Rick Stanton

Firefighter from Coventry, a world renowned cave rescuer, was awarded an MBE in 2013. He and Volanthen found the air pocket where the lost boys took shelter.

Robert Harper

Caving expert from Somerset who oversaw Volanthen and Stanton’s dive to find the boys. Thailand’s sports minister personally gave thanks for his dedication and professionalism.

Chris Jewell

Liaison officer for the Cave Diving Group, he has led some pioneering expeditions into some of the world’s deepest cave systems.

Jason Mallison

Rescued six British cavers from Mexico’s Cueva de Alpazat and joined Stanton and Volanthen to break record for the longest cave dive at 50 hours and 5.5 miles of caves.

Tim Acton

Grew up in Harwich and learnt diving before moving to Asia 12 years ago. In 2004 was honoured for saving lives in the Boxing Day tsunami.