When news that a young boys’ soccer team was stuck in a flooded cave in Thailand hit the world, everyone was on the edge of their seats, hoping the boys would make it out alive. For a while, things didn’t look too good, but eventually, the rescuers came together and made it happen. All the boys were rescued safely and are recovering with their families.
None of that would have been possible without all the brave people who helped rescue them.
One of them was Dr. Richard Harris, who was on vacation in Thailand when the boys became trapped. He was asked to help with the rescue because he is an experienced cave diver and medical doctor. He agreed to help.
Richard, who goes by the name Harry, joined the boys in the flooded cave and checked the health of each of them.
He stayed with them for three days to monitor them and to do everything he could to keep them alive and strong enough to survive the rescue. He also administered a sedative to the boys, so they would not panic as they pulled themselves through the dark, flooded caves with a rope, accompanied by rescue divers. He decided that the weakest boys should be rescued first. After all the boys and the coach were rescued, he was one of the last people to leave the cage.
Dr. Andrew Pearce, MedStar Clinical Service director, talked about Harry and how brave and kind he was to help with the rescue. Andrew said:
“Harry is (a) quiet and kind man who did not think twice about offering his support on this mission.”
While Harry is being celebrated as a hero, he is also proof that no good deed goes unpunished.
Just a few hours after the boys were rescued and Harry himself made it out of the cave alive, he found out that his father had passed away.
Andrew explained:
“It is with great sadness that I confirm that Harry’s dad passed away last night a short time after the successful rescue operation in Thailand. I have spoken with Harry. This is clearly a time of grief for the Harris family, magnified by the physical and emotional demands of being part of this week’s highly complex and ultimately successful rescue operation. Harry’s dad would have been extremely proud that he would have put himself out there to do what he’s able to do. If you could imagine being physically and mentally exhausted through going through a rescue and … you’ve given your all and then you find out the sad news about your father, who’s your best mate, that’s really, really tough.”
Those who helped Harry rescue the boys were shocked by the sad news and felt awful for the doctor.
The Thai Navy Seals also offered their condolences. They said:
“Our condolences to Dr. Richard Harris, one of the leading rescuers, whose father just passed away hours after his rescue mission had been completed. We wish you the best for this very tough time. We never thank you enough for what you’ve done for the kids, their families, and Thailand. Thank you, Richard, and thank you, Australia!”
Andrew talked about his friend Harry and explained that while he has no doubt the conditions inside the cave were horrible, Harry didn’t dwell on it.
Andrew explained:
“He said it was tough and it was, to use the British diver’s words, gnarly and it was under grueling circumstances and that’s basically about it. You’ll find people that do this kind of work don’t actively speak long and hard about what they do and how they do it, they just get on with the job and get the job done and make sure they’re able to look after people. Harry is a quiet and kind man who did not think twice about offering his support on this mission. He will be coming home soon and taking some well-earned time off to be with his family.”
Harry is truly an amazing person.
He definitely shouldn’t have to be dealing with such an awful loss after helping with such an amazing rescue. Hopefully, he and his family can find some peace during this sad time.
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