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Perth's Craig Challen is being hailed a hero for his role in the three-day cave rescue of 12 Thai boys.
A team of Aussie divers went deep into the Tham Luang caves for an unprecedented and daring operation.
It took 75 hours to rescue 12 boys and their coach, who had been trapped for 17 days.
It was terrifying ordeal but a mission accomplished thanks to Mr Challen and Richard "Harry" Harris from Adelaide.
“Obviously bringing in a team of the most experienced and competent divers they could find and that obviously included Harry and Craig,” the pair's dive buddy Paul Hosie said.
![Perth vet Craig Challen with Dr Harris after the successful rescue. Picture: AAP](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/iwqwNV6SRf0jLBnxI1kS71SmKeY=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F07%2F11%2F1107_harrischallen_thaicave_a.jpg)
![Divers worked in dangerous conditions to free the group. Picture: 9NEWS](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/BK-l6WNeAwHz4MzJpxFP9CFpX8Q=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F07%2F12%2F09%2F27%2F120718_rescue2_sp2.jpg)
![Craig Challen cancelled a holiday to volunteer for the rescue mission. Picture: 9NEWS](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/p9FsiT-JsSH8a0kPLoLZhVVNMt4=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F07%2F12%2F180712_STW_CRAIG2.jpg)
Mr Challen and Dr Harris are a duo from the Wet Mules diving group.
Known as the Formula One of diving, their skills are nothing short of incredible.
Mr Hosie has been diving with the two for more than two decades.
“You can't see the hand in front of your face, and being able to control all your equipment it's quite challenging,” he said.
![Dr Richard Harris (second left) and Craig Challen (centre) played a key role in the rescue mission. Picture: The Wet Mules](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/uXlWdxLrFOyyPzTDr319tPxdVUc=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F07%2F12%2F09%2F40%2F120718_wetmules_sp1.jpg)
Retired vet Mr Challen was the last man out of the cave.
He was supposed to be on holiday in the Nullarbor but cancelled his plans to volunteer his time.
“He's very humble he won't be liking any of this spotlight,” Mr Hosie said.
Mr Hosie said the conditions would have been treacherous.
“The big difference with the cave in Thailand, muddy water, you literally ... may be able to see your hand here but not here. Harry was saying you may as well have your eyes closed,” he said.
“The video we saw, there was a lot of water flow, that's as hard as it gets.
“That's really as hard as it gets, so it takes great composure.
“They would have been moving really slowly especially as they were shifting the boys with them.”