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Australian hero anaesthetist Dr Richard Harris, one of the leading rescuers in the operation to save a Thai soccer team from an underground cave, has met the medical team now taking care of them.
Dr Harris and retired Perth vet and cave diving expert Craig Challen today thanked the international rescue team involved in the mammoth task and took a photo with staff at the Chang Rai hospital.
"We would like to thank everyone for the messages of support we have received following the successful extraction of the team and Royal Thai Navy Seals from the cave," the statement said.
![Australian 'hero' doctor Richrd Harris has met the Thai medical staff taking care of the 12 young boys he helped rescue from an underground cave this week. Picture: Supplied.](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/5f4TYrQwkIXtSjxsYpf2ORGLaog=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F07%2F12%2F12%2F42%2FDr-Richard-Harris-Thai-Cave-Rescue-Medical-Team.jpg)
![Dr Richard Harris (second left) and his diving partner 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)
"We are humbled to have been able to provide our expertise and experience to assist in this international operation led by the Thai government.
"Our thanks and greatest admiration go the British lead divers, and support divers along the route in and out of the cave system from the EU, US, China and Australia, as well as the vast number of participants from military and civilian organisations in various support roles.
"Additionally, we were only a small part of an Australian contingent comprising personnel from DFAT, AFP, and ADF who performed valuable roles.
![Harris and Challen thanked the international rescue team for their efforts in the operation and praised the Thai Navy SEALS involved. Picture: Supplied.](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/SugoNcHoWf2FaCW9i8hPotq8Z6Y=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F07%2F11%2F1107_harriscaveboys.jpg)
![The Thai Navy SEALS team also praised the anaesthetist, wishing him the best after the tragic loss of his father following the rescue. Picture: Supplied.](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/deJuz8WuraYxTeiXIYEKcHVvGQk=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F07%2F11%2F1107_thairescue_richardharris4_sp.jpg)
"We particularly would like to thank the players and their coach for placing their trust in us. We wish them a speedy recovery."
The message of gratitude comes as the Thai Navy SEALS team involved in the rescue operation praised Dr Harris, whose own father passed away hours after the mission was completed and the last of the group was brought to safety.
In a Facebook post the SEALS said Dr Harris couldn't be thanked enough for what he did.
![The Thai Navy SEALS today released the first vision from within the rescue operation, where the boys can be seen being moved from the cave. Picture: Supplied.](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/0TVggMHDhq_YjNvS8BYioqRO_CI=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2FNetwork%2FHome%2FStreams%2F2018%2F07%2F12%2F09%2F58%2F1207_thaicaverescue.jpg)
![Dr Harris worked closely with the Thai Navy SEALS team to medically assess each of the boys before they could be moved. Picture: Twitter](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/uCHL48iSS7w1fU55cpLI4mw8B7s=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F07%2F11%2F13%2F29%2F180711_DOCTOR_SP.jpg)
"Our condolences to Doctor Richard Harris, one of the leading rescuers whose father just passed away hours after his rescue mission had been completed," a Facebook post said.
"We wish you the best for this very tough time. We never thank you enough for what you’ve done for the kids, their families and Thailand. Thank you, Richard and thank you, Australia!"
The Navy SEALS team today also released the first vision of some of the boys being rescued from the cave, showing divers using pulleys, ropes and rubber piping to bring the boys out.
![The rescue mission captured the world's attention since June 23 when the boys entered the cave with their soccer coach. Picture: Supplied.](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/X3BlAm81FCDG_Qs6TKn-LQKBL5E=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F07%2F12%2F09%2F27%2F120718_rescue4_sp4.jpg)
The boys can also be seen being passed on stretchers through the dangerous pathways.
The world waited with bated breath as the rescue operation took place after the 12 young Thai boys and their 25-year-old coach entered the cave on June 23.
Today, Mr Challen's partner, Heather Endall, said that he initially doubted the potential success of the rescue plan to remove the boys from the cave, but was "adamant" that he wanted to go and help.
![Photos have also emerged of the rescued boys in good health in hospital undergoing quarantine procedures. Picture: Twitter.](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/blkYAiy-mYbFi6TvrLterR7T9sk=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2FNetwork%2FHome%2FStreams%2F2018%2F07%2F11%2F22%2F20%2F110718_thaiboys_env_sp.jpg)
"I did express some concerns, obviously, but he was pretty adamant," Ms Endall told ABC radio.
"There was no talking him out of it... He did hold concerns for the whole situation.
"I think he went over there with a bit of a pessimistic view - he thought it was going to be a real challenge to get the boys out alive. He didn't actually display any regard for his own safety."
Ms Endall also joked that, upon his arrival back in Australia, Mr Challen would likely "sneak off to the Nullarbor and go down a cave to hide from the media".
He is part of a group of intrepid cave divers called the Wet Mules, as is Mr Harris, who loves to take photos and capture videos of their underwater adventures.