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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 7 hours later) | |
The first voice 12 young Thai footballers and their coach heard after nine days trapped in caves 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?" he asked. "Thirteen? Brilliant." | "How many of you?" he asked. "Thirteen? Brilliant." |
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 trio arrived in Thailand three days after the football team went missing. More than 1,000 people have been involved in the operation, from all over the world. | The trio arrived in Thailand three days after the football team went missing. More than 1,000 people have been involved in the operation, from all over the world. |
Mr Volanthen's mother Jill said she felt "absolute pride" over her son's role in the rescue effort. | |
The British Cave Rescue Council - the body for voluntary underground rescue in the British Isles - said it has been in contact with the British divers since their return. | The British Cave Rescue Council - the body for voluntary underground rescue in the British Isles - said it has been in contact with the British divers since their return. |
Bill Whitehouse, the council's vice chairman, said the men had described the dive as "gnarly" in an email, meaning there were complications and problems. | Bill Whitehouse, the council's vice chairman, said the men had described the dive as "gnarly" in an email, meaning there were complications and problems. |
It was a three-hour round trip, involving a 1.5km passage, partly flooded and partly open, he told BBC's Breakfast. | It was a three-hour round trip, involving a 1.5km passage, partly flooded and partly open, he told BBC's Breakfast. |
On hearing the boys had been found, Mr Whitehouse said: "It was really quite a moment, I can tell you." | On hearing the boys had been found, Mr Whitehouse said: "It was really quite a moment, I can tell you." |
However, he said that "moment of euphoria" for the divers and the boys would have been followed by: "Now what?" | However, he said that "moment of euphoria" for the divers and the boys would have been followed by: "Now what?" |
He said there would be planning meetings taking place to look at the options - either to get food and supplies to them so they can sit it out for longer or to consider how to bring them out. | He said there would be planning meetings taking place to look at the options - either to get food and supplies to them so they can sit it out for longer or to consider how to bring them out. |
The challenges would be more rain, he added. | The challenges would be more rain, he added. |
"It is the monsoon season - they'll be lucky to have a few more days without rain. | "It is the monsoon season - they'll be lucky to have a few more days without rain. |
"Diving them out is the last resort but might be the only possibility," he added. | "Diving them out is the last resort but might be the only possibility," he added. |
It is believed Mr Volanthen and Mr Stanton are part of the South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team and attempted to 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 attempted to rescue a trapped diver in France in 2010. |
The South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team declined to comment on the Thailand rescue, while the BCRC said it does not name the cavers it sends on operations. | The South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team declined to comment on the Thailand rescue, while the BCRC said it does not name the cavers it sends on operations. |
According to reports on the 2010 operation, Mr Stanton is a firefighter from Coventry who was also involved in the rescue of 13 British cavers in Mexico in 2004. | According to reports on the 2010 operation, Mr Stanton is a firefighter from Coventry who was also involved in the rescue of 13 British cavers in Mexico in 2004. |
He was made an MBE in the New Year's Honours List at the end of 2012. | He was made an MBE in the New Year's Honours List at the end of 2012. |
In a 2007 interview, he said he became interested in diving after watching a programme called "Underground Eiger" as a child. He joined caving and diving clubs at university. | In a 2007 interview, he said he became interested in diving after watching a programme called "Underground Eiger" as a child. He joined caving and diving clubs at university. |
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". | 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". |
The IT consultant, who is based in Bristol and grew up in Brighton, started caving as a scout. Speaking to the Sunday Times in 2013, he said cave rescue requires a calm head. | The IT consultant, who is based in Bristol and grew up in Brighton, started caving as a scout. Speaking to the Sunday Times in 2013, he said cave rescue requires a calm head. |
"Panic and adrenaline are great in certain situations - but not in cave-diving," he said. "The last thing you want is any adrenaline whatsoever." | "Panic and adrenaline are great in certain situations - but not in cave-diving," he said. "The last thing you want is any adrenaline whatsoever." |
He added: "It [cave diving] is like that puzzle with the fox, the chicken and the grain. It's not dangerous if you do it right." | He added: "It [cave diving] is like that puzzle with the fox, the chicken and the grain. It's not dangerous if you do it right." |
In 2012, both men received a Royal Humane Society medal at Buckingham Palace, in recognition of their rescue attempt in France. | In 2012, both men received a Royal Humane Society medal at Buckingham Palace, in recognition of their rescue attempt in France. |
The third British expert, Robert Harper, has been caving since 1968. | The third British expert, Robert Harper, has been caving since 1968. |
In the rescue 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 rescue 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." |