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“That first hug, they would be hankering for it,” 9NEWS presenter Peter Overton has reflected, following three nights of intensive coverage of the Thai cave rescue saga.
“I can imagine that extraordinary angst and heartache that they want to wrap their arms around the boys and kiss them and hug them,” he said of the parents, waiting desperately to be reunited with their sons.
“I think for me being a dad of two little girls, I can only imagine how the parents are feeling of these boys.
![9NEWS presenter Peter Overton presenting the special bulletin once the boys and their coach were rescued. Picture: 9NEWS](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/4D2GLV5kiNrTttj4pIMzbtPJyUY=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F07%2F11%2F00%2F44%2F180711pete.jpg)
![The parents of the trapped boys wait for news. Picture: AAP](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/hTIezx2P9I7tTlgDfx88UZJfDRo=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F07%2F11%2F00%2F44%2F180711thairescue2.jpg)
“They would be totally relieved they are out of the cave and they will have a life to lead with them now.”
The 12 boys and their soccer coach have spent more than a fortnight waiting in the dank cavern of the Chiang Rai cave system, and the world has waited with them.
Media from across the globe flocked to the scene to cover the daring rescue operation, as those at home held their breath, hoping for a good outcome.
!['They would be totally relived they are out of the cave.': Picture: AAP](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/QnujYcEBh-JyHyrELM00YGRHKV8=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F07%2F11%2F00%2F44%2F180711thairescue.jpg)
As those prayers were answered tonight, Overton said it’s been “a remarkable three nights of reporting”.
“It’s just lovely to have a fantastic ending to what was originally built as mission impossible, but is now mission accomplished.
“(It was) an international rescue mission.
![Locals cheer upon news the boys have been freed. Picture: AP](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/nc0gDO7U4kFa6TqMw0Y0P_9PEPc=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F07%2F11%2F00%2F44%2F180711thairescue4.jpg)
![The world has been waiting for the team to be rescued. Picture: Getty](https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/IJfUBt9tUVTehrXvcrvf9MZ6yfk=/500x0/https%3A%2F%2F1.800.gay%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F_%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F07%2F11%2F00%2F44%2F180711thairescue3.jpg)
“And Doctor Richard Harris being described by the mission commander, if you like, as the best - what he’s done is remarkable.
“I hope he’s feted and lauded not only in Thailand but here in Australia as well.”