Irish-based diver praised for efforts
Final five led out after 17-day ordeal
Jim Warny AN elite Irish-based cave diver played a major part in the rescue in Thailand, it emerged yesterday.
Shannon-based Lufthansa technician
Jim Warny, who has lived in Ennis, Co Clare, for more than 10 years, volunteered to help.
Brian Mac Coitir, of the voluntary Irish Cavers Rescue Organisation, praised the Belgian national yesterday.
He said: “Jim is part of the Irish Cave Rescue [Organisation] team.
CHALLENGES
“They faced incredible challenges and it’s an incredible feat to be able to get everybody out.
“Even finding them was a miracle in itself and then the challenges before the heavy rains came.
“The fact they were able to get to a place of safety inside that cave was miraculous.”
And Martyn Farr, an instructor with the Cave Diving Group of Great Britain, added: “Jim is a great guy. I respect his abilities immensely.
“He is a highly valuable and extremely valuable member of the dive team.
“He will be cheered when he lands off that plane.” in hospital in Chiang Rai, northern Thailand, where doctors are carefully weaning them on to solid food.
News of the last five being led out of the two-and-a-half-mile cave system was met with cheers and honking car horns across Thailand. Theresa May tweeted: “The world will be saluting the bravery of all those involved.” Donald Trump posted: “Such a beautiful moment – all freed, great job!” A global team of 18 cave diving experts including seven Brits led the boys to safety through tunnels as narrow as 15 inches after they were found alive nine days ago.
The novice swimmers were given a sedative so they did not panic under water, and each was tethered to Divers reach lads 9 days ago two divers carrying oxygen for them. Coach Ake Chantawong, 25, who had led them into the cave during a biking trip, was the last to be brought out.
Bill Whitehouse, of the British Cave Rescue Council, said: “It was such a perilous operation. It could have gone wrong with each boy.” THE final four football players trapped in a cave were brought to safety yesterday, followed by their coach – to cheers around the world.
The youngsters joined their eight Wild Boars teammates already recovering in hospital, where they must stay in quarantine for a week.
Thai navy SEALS who worked around the clock on the risky three-day rescue said: “We are not sure if this is a miracle, or science, or what.
“All 13 Wild Boars are now out.”
Rescue chief Narongsak Osoththanakorn added: “This mission was successful because we had the power of love. Everybody sent it.”
The boys aged 11 to 16 are being monitored for dangerous bacteria they could have picked up from bat droppings in the cave, where they became trapped on June 23. They must also keep sunglasses on to shield their eyes after more than two weeks in darkness.
Two are being treated for lung infections but others are said to be “cheerful”