Thailand cave rescue: Theresa May meets British 'hero' divers who helped rescue trapped boys

Fiona Simpson

Evening Standard

 

© Provided by Independent Print Limited

 

Theresa May has met with British divers who helped save 12 schoolboys and their football coach from a flooded cave in Thailand, hailing them all “heroes”.

 

The cave divers visited Number 10 for a reception with the Prime Minister Tuesday afternoon.

 

John Volanthen, from Bristol, was one of the first divers to reach the stranded group in the Luang Nang Non Cave and was among those who stood for a photograph on Downing Street with the PM and Thai ambassador Pisanu Suvanajata.

 

Mrs May thanked the divers, adding: "They did extremely well. We can be very proud of them. They did a fantastic job. They're great heroes.

 

Full story: https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/thailand-cave-rescue-theresa-may-meets-british-hero-divers-who-helped-rescue-trapped-boys/ar-AAAmI2i?li=BBoPRmx

 

-- MSN 2018-2018-07-25

There were times where people did all sorts of unselfish acts just because it the right thing to do at that situation and at that moment in time, nobody calls them Heroes, mostly they got a big thank you and a slap on the back, nowadays, because of the apathy, egoistic and self centered attitude of the world's population in general, every act of benevolent, kindness and helping others with no ulterior motives are viewed as bravery and heroism, and this is doesn't say much for the world has become... 

Liz ought to be giving out at least a couple of knighthoods for these guys. Maybe even pull back Lord Felon Black's peerage and give it instead to a much deserving Mr Stanton.

5 minutes ago, ezzra said:

There were times where people did all sorts of unselfish acts just because it the right thing to do at that situation and at that moment in time, nobody calls them Heroes, mostly they got a big thank you and a slap on the back, nowadays, because of the apathy, egoistic and self centered attitude of the world's population in general, every act of benevolent, kindness and helping others with no ulterior motives are viewed as bravery and heroism, and this is doesn't say much for the world has become... 

Naw, these guys would have been heroes at anytime in history.

38 minutes ago, ezzra said:

There were times where people did all sorts of unselfish acts just because it the right thing to do at that situation and at that moment in time, nobody calls them Heroes, mostly they got a big thank you and a slap on the back, nowadays, because of the apathy, egoistic and self centered attitude of the world's population in general, every act of benevolent, kindness and helping others with no ulterior motives are viewed as bravery and heroism, and this is doesn't say much for the world has become... 

Quite the contrary, these guys were heroes, in spite of having completely rejected being labelled as such. 

In reply to ezzra- it's the age we live in, the internet era of instant communication where every human act, good or bad, can be public news worldwide within minutes. 

This has an obvious downside where acts of stupidity and selfishness are created into sensationalist headlines and people we should never have to hear of are paraded before our eyes in the media.

But equally plain, the internet has its good side. In the past those boys would have died in the cave, no cave expert would have even  heard about them for months. 

The interview with the British diver from Derbyshire was very interesting. He described holding the boy he was bringing out very close to his chest, very concerned any slight contact with the jagged rock face in the very narrow submerged passageways would dislodge the mask and cause the boy to drown. From what he said it was a very thin line between success and failure. Those were heroic deeds indeed.

Edited July 25, 20187 yr by bannork

Definitely heroes.  No need to be cynical or doubt their selflessness or bravery!

55 minutes ago, pegman said:

Liz ought to be giving out at least a couple of knighthoods for these guys. Maybe even pull back Lord Felon Black's peerage and give it instead to a much deserving Mr Stanton.

Quite right - for a brief moment they MBGA'd (made Britain great again). 

We're stuck with this cave story forever. Its taken on a life of its own.The media will assault us with never ending stories about the cave kids...

their first day at college

graduation day

their wedding day

their first born baby day with loving wife

 

the divers meet the mayor, meet the pope, meet  NASA astronaughts

divers going on lecture circuit

divers talking about how to be a good person,  how to be a good diver

 how much they love their families....and on and on.

 

It will never stop.

 

Sheeple.

 

A disparaging troll post has been removed from this thread.

there is more danger on a thai road then there was in them caves, The aus PM is giving the australian divers a bravery medal at the same time kicking aussie war vet in the guts and to all you douters i was a tunnel rat in the vietnam war

The last time I saw a paid of red shoes like that they were on a scared little girl called Dorothy. Pure coincidence, of course.

1 hour ago, lanista said:

We're stuck with this cave story forever. Its taken on a life of its own.The media will assault us with never ending stories about the cave kids...

their first day at college

graduation day

their wedding day

their first born baby day with loving wife

 

the divers meet the mayor, meet the pope, meet  NASA astronaughts

divers going on lecture circuit

divers talking about how to be a good person,  how to be a good diver

 how much they love their families....and on and on.

 

It will never stop.

 

Sheeple.

 

It has been about a month since the story broke. I think you are getting a little carried away.

3 hours ago, lanista said:

We're stuck with this cave story forever. Its taken on a life of its own.The media will assault us with never ending stories about the cave kids...

their first day at college

graduation day

their wedding day

their first born baby day with loving wife

 

the divers meet the mayor, meet the pope, meet  NASA astronaughts

divers going on lecture circuit

divers talking about how to be a good person,  how to be a good diver

 how much they love their families....and on and on.

 

It will never stop.

 

Sheeple.

 

If I’ve told you once I’ve told you a million times not to exaggerate ? 

6 hours ago, pegman said:

Liz ought to be giving out at least a couple of knighthoods for these guys. Maybe even pull back Lord Felon Black's peerage and give it instead to a much deserving Mr Stanton.

Liz ought to be giving out nothing. That's the Thai government's job. 

 

21 minutes ago, Tongjaw said:

  3 hours ago, lanista said:

We're stuck with this cave story forever. Its taken on a life of its own.The media will assault us with never ending stories about the cave kids...

their first day at college

graduation day

their wedding day

their first born baby day with loving wife

 

the divers meet the mayor, meet the pope, meet  NASA astronaughts

divers going on lecture circuit

divers talking about how to be a good person,  how to be a good diver

 how much they love their families....and on and on.

 

It will never stop.

 

Sheeple.

21 minutes ago, Tongjaw said:

If I’ve told you once I’ve told you a million times not to exaggerate ? 

You could have told him too that no one obliged him with a gun on the temple to read anything irritating his negative mind 

Edited July 25, 20187 yr by Tchooptip
still lost with multi quote

PM Theresa May honours British cave divers

By Thai PBS

 

British Prime Minister Theresa May (centre) stands with the Thai Ambassador to the UK Pisanu Suvanajata and members of the British cave diving team and their support team as they pose for a photograph outside Number 10 following a reception at Downing Street on Tuesday.

 

Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May hosted a reception on Tuesday for the British divers who were involved in the dramatic rescue of the 12 Wild Boars soccer team members and their coach from Tham Luang cave earlier this month.

 

All the boys and their 25-year-old soccer coach were brought to safety over the course of a three-day rescue organized by Thai Navy SEALs and an international team of diving and caving experts.

 

Reuters reported that Thai Ambassador Pisanu Suvanajata was among the guests at the prime minister’s official residence at Number 10 Downing Street on Tuesday afternoon, posing for a photograph with May and the divers in front of the famous black door.

 

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pm-theresa-may-honours-british-cave-divers/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2018-07-25

Guess someone has to make up for the near vacuum from those on high within Thailand, of course the super duper Thai elite card or what ever the useless thing is, doesn't quite cut it now does it? 

Luckily Theresa and Malcolm could see fit to make a gesture and recognise the effort. 

Edited July 25, 20187 yr by Artisi

For once

 

Proud to be British.

 

7 hours ago, pegman said:

Liz ought to be giving out at least a couple of knighthoods for these guys. Maybe even pull back Lord Felon Black's peerage and give it instead to a much deserving Mr Stanton.

Methinks these blokes would be embarrassed to accept a Knighthood, they didn't do it for accolades.

 

As ezzra said: every act of benevolent, kindness and helping others with no ulterior motives are viewed as bravery and heroism, and this doesn't say much for the way the world has become... 

 

I agree 100% with that.

3 hours ago, shy coconut said:

It has been about a month since the story broke. I think you are getting a little carried away.

It was far more interesting than football cup

23 minutes ago, gamini said:

It was far more interesting than football cup

Watching paint dry would have been more interesting... 

1 hour ago, Basil B said:

For once

 

Proud to be British.

 

 

 

It only takes one cave diver to make you proud of your COUNTRY?     I think the UK has a lot more to be proud of than just that single accomplishment.

 

I hope you can agree with that.

 

Rumour has it that after the photoshoot Theresa asked the team if they could help save Brexit.  The divers fell about laughing and responded "We are good at diving but nowhere as good as you are at doing the ducking!"

UK premier welcomes hero British divers to Downing Street

 

 

The heroic British divers who helped to rescue 12 boys and their coach trapped in Thailand were welcomed to Downing Street today by the UK prime minister, according to UK Government 's website.

 

At the event, Theresa May praised the heroism of those involved in the extraordinary cave rescue.

 

The group of rescuers, who have been cave diving for over 20 years, battled zero visibility conditions and narrow cave passages to reach the trapped boys.

 

Thai Ambassador to London Pisanu Suvanajata also attended. 

 

 

Among those attending with their families was John Volanthen, one of the British divers who was part of the team which first discovered the boys.

 

He was also one of the three divers who went out as the initial team and who helped place guides in the cave to assist others in navigation.

 

Also at the event was Robert Harper, who was part of the team which pinpointed the boys’ exact location, and Vernon Unsworth, who first alerted cave divers in the UK to the situation in Thailand.

 

Divers who took part in the final stages of the rescue were also honoured at the reception, including Chris Jewell who successfully guided the second-to-last boy to safety.

 

May said "It’s a pleasure to welcome you to Downing Street today. This was an amazing rescue mission. On hearing about the boys who were trapped most people would have just stood by but you chose to go out there and do something about it."

 

The eyes of the world were on you and I think I can speak for everyone when I say a huge thank you, said May.

"John [Volanthen] you have said that you’re not heroes…well to most of us you are."

 

May also said that sadly a Thai diver, Saman Kunan, died during this mission. He lost his life saving the lives of others – a danger you also faced.

 

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has written to May to say thank you for the fantastic job the British divers did and she know that everyone in this country would agree. "We are all very proud of you."

 

The Thailand operation was a unique occasion when individual cave divers and cave rescuers from many teams came together and worked as a truly national team under the BCRC banner, said Bill Whitehouse, Vice Chairman of British Cave Rescue Council.

 

In total eight cave divers and three other cave rescuers travelled out to Thailand to help with the search and then the rescue. They were backed up by a support team in the UK of BCRC officers and members of various teams.

 

"It has been both gratifying and humbling to experience how cave rescuers, cave divers and the wider caving world worked together during the eighteen day operation to play such a significant part in pulling off what many thought to be an impossible task," he said.

 

It has undoubtedly been one of the most incredible cave rescues ever, he added.

 

John Volanthen, one of the lead cave divers involved in the rescue, said that it was an honour to join the incredible effort to rescue of these boys and their coach, and he would like to personally add particular reference to the skill and dedication of the many military groups and civilians we worked alongside, especially the Thai navy seals.

 

He would also like to extend my thoughts to the family of Saman Kunan.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30350798

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-07-25

 

7 hours ago, lanista said:

We're stuck with this cave story forever. Its taken on a life of its own.The media will assault us with never ending stories about the cave kids...

their first day at college

graduation day

their wedding day

their first born baby day with loving wife

 

the divers meet the mayor, meet the pope, meet  NASA astronaughts

divers going on lecture circuit

divers talking about how to be a good person,  how to be a good diver

 how much they love their families....and on and on.

 

It will never stop.

 

Sheeple.

 

I think there is some truth in what you write. I fear that this whole courageous enterprise is going to be milked and exploited for all it is worth - to the point where it becomes a kind of ongoing circus or 'reality TV show'.

 

I think the boys and their coach should be allowed to get back to a normal life now. But clearly that is not going to happen.

9 minutes ago, Eligius said:

I think the boys and their coach should be allowed to get back to a normal life now. But clearly that is not going to happen.

 

Sure it will, just give it a couple of months.

 

I'd like to comment on lessons learned briefly. Unless i've missed something. After the initial finding of 13 alive boys, I remember both surprise/shock and deep concern to hear that none of them could swim. How could that be? Unless others have already posted on this, the answer is a total lack of a national programme, in Thai schools? Is the lesson not going to be learned? In (such) a crisis, a child needs that skill for his or her entire lifetime surely? How difficult or expensive can it be in a country famed for it's lovely weather and outdoor lifestyle? That a sporty group of young teen males had had no swimming lessons throughout their physical education schooling, reflects poorly on a country IMO. Please comment. This may've been discussed already elsewhere in which case apologies.

7 minutes ago, Analogue Photographer said:

I'd like to comment on lessons learned briefly. Unless i've missed something. After the initial finding of 13 alive boys, I remember both surprise/shock and deep concern to hear that none of them could swim. How could that be? Unless others have already posted on this, the answer is a total lack of a national programme, in Thai schools? Is the lesson not going to be learned? In (such) a crisis, a child needs that skill for his or her entire lifetime surely? How difficult or expensive can it be in a country famed for it's lovely weather and outdoor lifestyle? That a sporty group of young teen males had had no swimming lessons throughout their physical education schooling, reflects poorly on a country IMO. Please comment. This may've been discussed already elsewhere in which case apologies.

It has since emerged that most (maybe all) of the boys CAN swim; indeed, it seems that the Assistant Coach would on occasion take them out swimming. So where this irritatingly false (or is it?) story that they could not swim came from - God only knows. It is one of several seemingly misleading pieces of 'information' that we were fed while the whole crisis was ongoing ...

 

Edited July 25, 20187 yr by Eligius

51 minutes ago, Eligius said:

I think there is some truth in what you write. I fear that this whole courageous enterprise is going to be milked and exploited for all it is worth - to the point where it becomes a kind of ongoing circus or 'reality TV show'.

 

I think the boys and their coach should be allowed to get back to a normal life now. But clearly that is not going to happen.

i think it will eventually. they'll be a movie for sure. not unlike the movie 'the impossible' about the spanish family during the tsunami. no one really knows who they are anymore, just gone back to normal life i assume