The Sunday Post (Newcastle)

How are we feeling after 17 days trapped in a cave? Finger-licking good actually

Rescued Thai boys look forward to fried chicken

- By James Wilson JAWILSON@SUNDAYPOST.COM

The 12 boys rescued from a flooded cave in Thailand will leave hospital within days, doctors said yesterday.

And, in a video filmed in their hospital ward, the boys, and their coach, who was also rescued, looked forward to enjoying their favourite meals including KFC.

The boys thanked their rescuers and people supporting them around the world as they continued recovering physically and mentally after 17 days trapped undergroun­d.

The last group of the Wild Boars football team and their coach was brought out of the Tham Luang cave last Tuesday.

New pictures and video shows them sitting up in their hospital beds and making peace signs while thanking those who saved their lives.

Asked by an off- camera interviewe­r what they were looking forward to eating, their wish list included slow-cooked

pork leg with steamed rice, fried crispy pork, roasted red pork, sushi, steak and KFC.

One said: “I want to say thanks for helping and thanks for the support.”

Another added: “Thanks for helping us out, don’t worry, we’re safe now.”

It has been reported that the boys and coach were heavily-sedated and only semi- conscious for their treacherou­s journey out of the cave.

This was because, having never dived before, there was considered to be a high risk of panic in the darkness. They will

be discharged from hospital on Thursday, Piyasakol Sakolsatay­adorn, the country’s health minister, said.

The boys sent a moving video message thanking their rescue divers.

The footage of the boys shows them still wearing surgical masks, a safeguard against infection.

Doctors say they will still need to be closely monitored for physical and psychologi­cal effects of their ordeal.

“All of the 13 people, their physical bodies are strong, and fit,” said Dr Sakolsatay­adorn.

“Regarding infections, through the medical evaluation­s in the first days there may be some of them that had minor pneumonia, but now all is cleared, no fever.”

Several were also reported earlier to be recovering from minor lung and middle ear infections.

Most of the boys, who were shown in their hospital beds, looked relaxed, began their brief statements with a “wai”, the traditiona­l Thai greeting of hands raised to chest level with palms together.

A few also gave the victory sign and raised their right fists.

 ??  ?? Video message shows young footballer­s rescued from flooded caves relaxing in their hospital beds in Chiang Rai, Thailand
Video message shows young footballer­s rescued from flooded caves relaxing in their hospital beds in Chiang Rai, Thailand
 ??  ?? Ekarat Wongsukcha­n, 14, continuing to recover in hospital yesterday after rescue from Thai caves, right
Ekarat Wongsukcha­n, 14, continuing to recover in hospital yesterday after rescue from Thai caves, right
 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom