Twelve members of Thailand’s Wild Boars youth soccer team and their assistant coach were trapped deep in a cave for two weeks when monsoon rains began and water in the cave rose. But today, the last four boys and their coach were brought safely out of the cave. Applause and tears around the world for the extraordinary efforts of the rescuers. The boys and their coach will have a floor of the local hospital all to themselves while they recover from fatigue, exhaustion, dehydration, starvation, and some minor lung infections. But the bottom line is they are all out and all safe. And the world is basking in the wonderful news. One diver lost his life as he was placing oxygen tanks along the route out.
The only sad note now is that the boys have been offered an all-expense-paid trip to the World Cup finals on Friday. But barring unexpected developments, the team is not expected to be well enough soon enough to travel.
It was the happy ending we dared not hope for. Huge congratulations to the dozens of people involved in the rescue efforts.
Couldn’t agree more; the only sad thing is that Musk bloke, a glory seeking egoist, if ever there was one, couldn’t give credit where it’s due, and got nasty because HIS submarine was deemed not only, not necessary, but unwanted, and unsuitable,
The Australian doctor/diver who went there to help, and run the rescue’s, father died whilst he was there helping to save those boys l
I wasn’t aware that Musk had gotten nasty, only that he had offered his device in the hope it could help. I’ve always been rather impressed by his ingenuity and creativity.
Very sorry to hear about the Aussie doctor’s father.
Yes Musk called the man in charge incompetent, he was not happy when told that his sub would not be of use. Got quite nasty, from reports I read, I suppose the US media thought it wise not to run the story.
I think he should stick to doing whatever it he does, and let those who know what they are doing when in comes to this type of disaster do it without interference from glory seekers.
The Aussie doctor, is quite famous for these types of rescue operations, and it was the British government in Westminster, that told the Thai Govt, to get hold of him, and let him run the show
He’s a very modest man;. he lost a very close friend, a young woman diver, in an accident in an underwater cave in South Australia.
It’s been reported here, that Hollywood, are proposing making a movie of this rescue, I suppose Tom Cruise will be playing the part of an Australian Doctor, or perhaps Denzel Washington.with the usual histrionics and a busty female diver thrown in for good measure. Perhaps they can get Mr Musk to finance it!
Our media may have run the story. I just don’t pay much attention to most news anymore. I check the headlines and read the details if I have any interest. Usually I don’t. Too often they are about Trump.
I thought the submarine idea was very creative, but when I saw the picture, I knew, based on what I’d read about the cave, that it probably was too big to be of use. But Musk is sticking to what he knows. He’s an inventor. He dreams up all sorts of things and has the money to build them. SpaceX and Tesla are cases in point. Neverthelss, being a self-made billionaire is no guarantee you’ll be loved.
Okay, in the last few days Elon Musk has made it quite clear that he’s a Class A egomaniacal jerk. And I hope hero (yes, a true hero!) Vern Unsworth sues him for every nickel he’s got. I’m sick of entitled rich men acting like they are above manners, respect, and the law … and getting away with it!
I think stronger words have been used to describe Mr elon musk in England Australia and Thailand.
No doubt. I’m just trying to keep it clean.
i am in awe of all of them
Me too. I can’t begin to imagine how those poor boys felt being trapped in that cave for so long.
And I bet not one of them will ever go inside a cave again.
I’m curious to know how the diver died. If he was in there placing air tanks along the route, then if his tank was getting low on air he should have had easy access to a fresh tank. I’m not entirely sure that diver was properly trained in cave-diving rescue. It’s a different beast altogether. Too bad that happened. So far I have not had any problems with my tank or breathing while diving. I can only imagine the amount of panic that would hit – that I’d have to fight to control – if I were to either lose air or have problems breathing.
I’ve not seen any details either. Maybe he tried to go “just a few more feet,” misjudging what he could do, and passed out? Or was already short on air when he got hung up on something? Everyone was pushing to the mox in the effort to get those boys out.
I’m not particularly claustrophobic but doubt I’d be enthusiastic about going very far into a cave. Toured an old mine once as a kid, but probably wouldn’t do it again. Of course the boys were forced into their position by rising water. I’d have nightmares for years if I’d gone through what they’ve been through.
I used to go spelunking all the time when I lived in Indiana. Excellent Karst topography for it. When I had any friends want to try it out, there was a specific cave I went to that was simply a “walk through.” Long enough to enjoy but cannot get lost. Just keep walking one direction or the other and you’ll eventually get out. It has “layers” in it, too. Was like a Jungle Jim. But I would not have gone very far into a cave I didn’t know, especially if it split off into separate parts. If you’ve ever been in a cave with the lights out, you immediately respect the darkness and danger in there should you get lost.
I read that the boys were in a cave that was very popular and frequently visited by the locals. Some sort of religious significance or something. I assume the rising water drove them into areas they weren’t familiar with.
Oh, I do indeed respect the darkness and danger. I’m one of those who would insist on a trail of breadcrumbs or a string or something. But if that were necessary, I wouldn’t be there in the first place. I might go into something like Carlsbad, but that’s it.
I’ve not been to Carlsbad Caverns — even though I like 4-5 hours from there. Most of my caving experience is in Indiana and Kentucky (Mammoth Caves).
I understand Mammoth is pretty spectacular.
Mammoth is spectacular! Mom used to take me and a friend every year when I was younger. We’d also go to King’s Island in Cincinnati. They’re relatively close to one another so we’d make a trip out of it.