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Thailand cave rescue: The Brits who helped find the boys Thailand cave rescue: The Brits who helped find the boys
(about 2 hours later)
The discovery of 12 young Thai footballers and their coach alive after nine days trapped in caves in the north of the country has made headlines around the world. The first voice the group heard was that of Briton John Volanthen. The first voice 12 young Thai footballers and their coach heard after nine days trapped in caves was that of Briton John Volanthen.
"How many of you?" boomed his voice. "Thirteen? Brilliant." "How many of you?" he asked. "Thirteen? Brilliant."
It was the first words from the outside world the trapped group had heard since their ordeal began.
It meant that, finally, they had been found.It meant that, finally, they had been found.
Mr Volanthen and Richard Stanton had been called in by the Thai authorities along with another British caving expert, Robert Harper.Mr Volanthen and Richard Stanton had been called in by the Thai authorities along with another British caving expert, Robert Harper.
The British Cave Rescue Council (BCRC) said the trio arrived in Thailand three days after the football team went into the Tham Luang caves in Chiang Rai on what was supposed to be a fun trip. The British Cave Rescue Council - the representative body for voluntary underground rescue in the British Isles - said the trio arrived in Thailand three days after the football team went into the caves.
The council said many of caves have been explored by British cavers and divers, "bringing with them valuable knowledge of the layout of overseas cave systems".The council said many of caves have been explored by British cavers and divers, "bringing with them valuable knowledge of the layout of overseas cave systems".
A video of the moment the missing group were found features the voices of two British men, believed to be Mr Stanton and Mr Volanthen.A video of the moment the missing group were found features the voices of two British men, believed to be Mr Stanton and Mr Volanthen.
In a statement, the BCRC said: "Around 16:30 BST, we started to receive the remarkable news that all 12 of the boys and their coach had been located in a dry air space...
"Shortly after this news, we received a direct but short confirmation from our British cave divers of the joyful news that the lost boys had been located alive."
Efforts are now under way to get the group out of the caves, although the operation is being hampered by rising water and impeding mud.Efforts are now under way to get the group out of the caves, although the operation is being hampered by rising water and impeding mud.
In the video shared by the Thai Navy Seals, the two British men can be heard telling the group they are the first to arrive but "many more are coming".In the video shared by the Thai Navy Seals, the two British men can be heard telling the group they are the first to arrive but "many more are coming".
One of the group can be heard saying he is very happy, while the British voice replies: "We are happy too."One of the group can be heard saying he is very happy, while the British voice replies: "We are happy too."
One of the boys then says: "Thank you so much."One of the boys then says: "Thank you so much."
Someone asks the men where they are from and the British voice replies: "England, UK". Someone asks the men where they are from and the British voice replies: "England, UK."
It is believed Mr Volanthen and Mr Stanton are part of the South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team and helped rescue a trapped diver in France in 2010.It is believed Mr Volanthen and Mr Stanton are part of the South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team and helped rescue a trapped diver in France in 2010.
The South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team declined to comment on the rescue while the BCRC said it does not name the cavers it sends on operations to "allow them to get on with their difficult task without distraction".The South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team declined to comment on the rescue while the BCRC said it does not name the cavers it sends on operations to "allow them to get on with their difficult task without distraction".
According to reports on the 2010 rescue, Mr Stanton is a firefighter from Coventry who was involved in the rescue of 13 British cavers in Mexico in 2004.According to reports on the 2010 rescue, Mr Stanton is a firefighter from Coventry who was involved in the rescue of 13 British cavers in Mexico in 2004.
He and Mr Volanthen, from Bristol, developed their own cave diving equipment. According to an online profile, Mr Volanthen also runs marathons and ultra-marathons. He joked that "he only runs so he can eat more biscuits".
In a separate interview, he said he has "done a lot more caving than running - and it shows".