Inspiration and uplift from diver’s tale of cave rescue
Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School hosted joint 2019 Australian of the Year Dr Craig Challen on Monday, who spoke about his thrilling experience in the Thai cave rescue almost 12 months ago.
In July 2018, anaesthetist Dr Richard Harris and West Australian retired vet Dr Craig Challen made worldwide headlines when they joined an international team to rescue 12 boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave in Chiang Rai, Thailand.
Dr Challen said he was planning to leave for a trip to the Nullabor only 24 hours before he got the call to head to Thailand.
“We had been hearing about the story on the news and we were in contact with the British guys that were on the ground in Thailand, but it was only in those last few days when it became apparent that there was going to be a cave diving rescue,” Dr Challen said.
“I was actually packing to go out to the Nullabor for a week and it was lucky it wasn’t 24 hours earlier otherwise I would’ve been out of phone range and I would’ve missed out on the whole thing.”
Dr Challen said the complexity of the rescue really struck him on the first day when the team of divers did not believe it was possible to save all 12 boys and their coach.
“The enormity of the whole experience was on that first day when didn’t think it could possibly work and it became apparent that it actually could work and the pressure was off a little bit after that,” Dr Challen said.
“Nothing like this had ever been done, so you just get by with what skills you’ve got.
“To my continuing surprise people still seem to get inspiration and uplift from this story so if I can can go around and provide some of that, then that’s a great privilege for me.”
The 54 year-old retired a few years ago with the intention of doing more cave diving around the world but his plans were put on hold — now having to fulfil his duties as Australian of the Year.
“I retired a few years ago in order to do more cave diving, but it hasn’t exactly gone to plan but I’m confident the caves will still be there next year.”
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