"I truly believed it wouldn't work" - Thai cave rescuer Dr Richard Harris | One Plus One

Dr Richard ‘Harry’ Harris became a national hero after helping to save a boys soccer team that was trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand. The anaesthetist talks to Rosie Batty about becoming Australian of the Year, finding his "cause", and the attention that followed.
Subscribe: / abcnewsindepth Read more here:
ABC News In-depth takes you deeper on the big stories, with long-form journalism from Four Corners, Foreign Correspondent, Australian Story, Planet America and more, and explainers from ABC News Video Lab.
Watch more ABC News content ad-free on iview: ab.co/2OB7Mk1
For more from ABC News, click here: ab.co/2kxYCZY
Get breaking news and livestreams from our ABC News channel: / newsonabc
Like ABC News on Facebook: / abcnews.au
Follow ABC News on Instagram: / abcnews_au
Follow ABC News on Twitter: / abcnews
Note: In most cases, our captions are auto-generated.
#ABCNewsIndepth #ABCNewsAustralia

[@oliverlane9716]

He didn't just risk his life but more importantly his soul. If those boys had died during the rescue he would have carried that burden for the rest of his life. So few heroes have ever risked more than him

[@warmbloodydew]

True. AS a Thai who follow this operation back then, they didnt leak the information to the public at all about the method they gonna bring the kids out and did not publish Dr Harris's name just to protect him from the pressure. I work in medical field around navy base so I have heard information that Doctor will help in the operation and I can guess that they decided to make them unconscious.. that was scary from many many aspects but they had no choice and that was the best decision. And Thank you Dr. Harris ,you are legendary !!

[@lia-sn6co]

Yeah..and if it were me,I don't think I want to carry that much pressure and risk on my shoulder.cuz i won't be able to forgive myself ever that is huge responsibility and nightmare

[@melnelly5918]

@@lia-sn6co yes but he was aware of that and like he said it would have been better to try and they die than leave them there in the cave to die. I think that would have been much more difficult. I think that was said on the series by the governer.. But look at the long lasting achievement. Not just saving them but the discovery that what he did to save them can be done.

[@lia-sn6co]

@@melnelly5918 yes.he is truly a doctor.willing to take risk and mentally strong in order to save life.not everyone can be a doctor I guess.not only need to be the smartest person but also mentally strong as well.human life esp a child is a huge responsibility

[@melnelly5918]

@@lia-sn6co From my home town. Very proud

[@silversurfer1781]

Very humble, both are. Even the UK divers never hogged the spotlight. Never expected any recognition. I still am in awe of your selflessness and the high level of skill you all gave for this to be possible.

[@gman0155]

Why do you say EVEN the uk divers like you expect us to be arrogant ha.

[@silversurfer1781]

@@gman0155 no. It's not that. I was just trying to say that they didn't even expect the recognition. Still am in awe of their guts, ability and humility.

[@sanjivat]

Similar sentiments. Great humans.

[@jimmydishkawnt]

Perfect example of how "the wisest are full of doubt"

[@thewookiee78]

This is face of bravery. He is one of the bravest human beings on the planet.

[@angie2088]

I live in Chiang Rai and I could not be prouder of a fellow Australian. All you guys who put your lives on the line for these children is amazing. Thank you

[@csl2063]

I love what he said at the end, that the part that took actual bravery was the decision to anaesthetize the kids. It was a long shot and could have gone horribly wrong. If any of them had died he would have been vilified, but if he hadn't it would have haunted him forever. He was put in a really difficult position and I'm as glad for him as for the kids that it worked out.

[@ptanisaro]

Each time I watch the operation, I'm still thrilled. It makes me believe in the cooperation of which people across the world join hands and make miracles happen, and hope.

[@lisaintheuk3347]

Yes that is what makes this so miraculous, people across the world joined together to save 13 lives, just imagine if we could apply this kind of kindness to our everyday lives but more than that if we could apply this across humanity on earth! It brings me to tears, why oh why can’t we live in peace and use the same concept applied in this situation to how we deal with all conflict or difficult situations across the world. We are all one, we are the 13 and we are the people that saved them. 🌏🌎🌍 ✌️

[@norpriest521]

โอเค

[@zazazass415]

♥️

[@judale12]

Mmm

[@judale12]

Nn

[@geofflongford2008]

Surely one of the most remarkable events and stories ever told in living memory. The world owes a huge debt of gratitude to all involved. They truly have given us all hope.

[@dg8062]

Few people realize this man is a cave diving extraordinaire in his own right, unbelievable cave diving depths. He's in the process of exploring a cave system and has been to 800ft on double rebreathers, it took him 19hrs to decompress at different depths to surface in COLD water. He's going back to go deeper in the same cave....undoubtedly where NO human has been. Fairly routine for this guy, this dude is THE true hero if you had to pick one in this truly miraculous rescue mission.

[@krogdog]

Not making fun of him at all, But ironically enough it’s public speaking that he’s afraid of 😂😂

[@cindytartt4048]

@@krogdog I know! Of all the things.

[@wahoo3279]

corr, 16 hrs deco

[@janienguyen1279]

I have watched the thirteenth lives and I cried throughout the movie. Dr. Harris and also the rest of the volunteers, the Navy Seals, and all of the peoples who were involved and sacrificed themselves in the recused were amazing. They were not just only helped out but it took big hearts to do the jobs. The movies wouldn’t able to tell all the struggles there in the cave. Shout out to everyone, the kids and the coach were very strong of survival to able to last that long as well. I’m not even from Thailand but from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for those who there to helped out with the situations. ❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@emmerentiagroenewald3694]

I did not watch the movie,and will not! The real thing with the real people is what makes it real, without actors having to act out the truth.... BRAVO for everyone who worked to rescue these 13 people.....! And the team and their young coach who endured and lived through the nightmare...❤❤❤❤

[@lynnkowalla1315]

I can't believe all this dr. put on the line. Hero thru and thru!!

[@plant-basedperson4466]

I am thai and thank you very much for saving their lives. Your sacrifice will always be appreciated 🙏.

[@frannieswannie6046]

the event was super stressful to watch then. so glad it worked out for most people

[@rusty5078]

I don't think he sacrificed anything whereas I think in total 2 people died as a result of this rescue. He put his life on the line for sure in the sense if any had died, he would have been first in jail lol

[@rusty5078]

@@ken420 there was no sacrifice. It's all fake news

[@MultiVeeta]

@@rusty5078 sacrifice doesn't mean life it is sacrifice of time and risk.

[@davidlu7245]

@@rusty5078 you are so very wrong… the Thai government gave the divers diplomatic immunity so that if anything went wrong it would NOT be treated as a crime

[@davidlu7245]

The very fact that they also train in case a fellow diver/caver is stranded in a cave says a lot about his sense of responsibly and general goodwill

[@regenerate2427]

No one is more deserving of Australian of the year than this man.

[@buddhidev7877]

My most respected to Dr. Harris. He is an important key person to make this rescue operation successful.

[@tintubmum]

“ courage and bravery mean doing some thing you are afraid of,not doing some thing you enjoy doing”: spoken like a true gentleman and a true hero. How humble are you, and the other divers Dr. Harris! So glad I came across this interview.

[@motlalepulesofe5636]

Kudos to you,Sir,definitely. True nature of being human is to do something that you too are afraid to do but given the situation before us is that you're choice less and ONLY you're conscience kick's in,to do what is right.

[@zazazass415]

Thank you Dr. Harris. Love from Thailand 🙏🏻♥️🇹🇭

[@omgwth7567]

Dr.Harris risked his WHOLE LIFE to save these 13 children. 🙏🙏🙏 I'm glad to see this new video from Thai Cave Rescue I've been searching. 👍👍👍 Dr.Harris looks thinner. 🙏😘

[@Bully1973]

New movie coming out soon.

[@kristineximeno6739]

Just watched the movie!! They are soooo extraordinary amazing!!! 8 hours for each boy, cant even imagine

[@jasonjordan9598]

What an amazing chap. Dr Harris has a book called against all odds. Rick Stanton and John Volanthen's books do a great job of taking you there too.

[@tuando-ed9ud]

Please send condolences to Dr. Harris while saved life other, he couldn't say goodbye to his dear father.

[@lululand1653]

Thank you Rosie and Harry for such a relaxed, frank and inspiring interview between two good people. The rescue touched the world and it was great to see that the boys are thriving now even with the weight of expectation they are living with.

[@bigg5582]

Good to see people get awards for being truly extraordinary

[@SP-nx8qx]

That's an Australian and a half right there, that's how Australians are. And that's why I loved this country.

[@howardcroft3748]

I was so impressed by the skill of Rosie Batty as a journalist. She only achieved this role through personal tragedy... but she was born to this role, wow! What a professional performance.

[@theredgate5568]

Incredibly powerful and courageous interview. Well done Doc, for everything. 👏

[@happybb4090]

I am Thai that I just watching the Cave rescue from Netflix and I want to say thank you to Dr. Harris and team they are incredible!

[@janewhelan5358]

Watching it now. So glad they got the boys out.

[@adelepattonxxx]

I love this msn. Overachiever, hero, humble.

[@amandaandbug4914]

This story is just blowing my mind. Those boys surviving..using mediation to calm themselves... These volunteers and their bravery! Theres just nothing like this..really makes me feel something spiritually the best way I can put it

[@Livingtheinvisiblelife]

The coach they went in with was either a previous Monk or studied with the Monks and he was able to pass his knowledge onto these young boys, he also taught them to not drink the flood waters but to get water that was dripping from the stalagmites because that would be clean water.

[@moviepotter]

He is a hero too. What he did. But I am so sorry he lost his father too. And so glad he was able to help these boys get out of that cave alive. The Coach of those boys is a hero too, how he kept them alive. and taking care of them too.

[@lynn151haj]

Thai volunteers also tried to drill holes from the top to reach to the kids. Its indeed a Miracle ! Dr Richard himself was unsure the kids would survive the anaesthetics thro the dive.

[@lakkhanaraksa4811]

คุณหมอเป็นคนดีและเก่งมากๆ ค่ะ thank you very much Dr. Harris.

[@gesillebodacaortiz9083]

Dr.Richard Harris you are a living hero!

[@afzanizammohdsuri2]

This is world that we need to living..love each other..humankind and no hates and war...we live this world once and keep for better place..thanks a lot of all volunteers and pray from all around the world for this special case..love from malaysia

[@ashleymiller4697]

You are all heroes and those kids are all brave warriors. I can't put into words how this whole story touches my heart. Thank you to all involved for being OUTSTANDING human beings.

[@oscresson]

Such a well done interview, on both their parts. And informative, and thought provoking. Bravo!

[@Rita-kn8bq]

No words of praise and admiration will ever be enough...... All the love !!

[@asyd2905]

He is so humble.

[@buddhistjehad82]

You are nothing but a super human hero I can only give this title ❤️

[@som7593]

" HEROES" is the only words to describe these and every single expert or normal people who were involved in rescue of those boys. Humanity is still alive in this cruel World.

[@steinbukk4672]

A true Miracle - This Man is an Extraordinary HERO

[@jesuspend]

Very inspiring! Thanks Dr. Harris! You are making the world a better place for all of us!

[@cherish6972]

Just finished watching Thai Cave Rescue film, oh God, im crying the in the whole movie. Thnk u God for the kowledge & strength u gave to all the rescuer , Big salute & respect to u Dr. Harris. I'll never forget ur heroism in this lifetime. May God bless long & happy life❤🙏

[@rebeccagrenfell2423]

What a story... Truth really is stranger than Fiction... What a gentleman and a gentle man... These guys are Solid Gold!!! Humble Heroes... Well Worthy!!! 🕊️💜🌈✨

[@reductor_]

I love this interview, more of a discussion, in some way's he is interviewing her.

[@worldnewsandcurrentevents]

From the first divers who fave the way of British divers to find the boys was remarkable also and the one who died. And all the collective effort was a brave acts. To those unsong heroes I feel you 💞 Thank you also for your bravery

[@marianjeffrey8684]

2 great Australians.

[@frannieswannie6046]

superb. great team work. good end game!

[@blancadejesus9464]

God Bless you always Dr. Harris

[@metdbuilder9501]

They deserved to be recognized!

[@erickemper7779]

I enjoyed listen to this interview, it brought back wonderful memories of how the world got together to save these young men, I don't know what happened to us God-bless those 13 young men

[@user-lk2ny4gi9b]

Thank you so much for your help you 're our heroes from Thai peoples God bless you all 🇹🇭💟👍👏👏🙏💝🇹🇭

[@penparnsailarm7094]

You are an angel

[@rosemarykinyanjui4083]

Truly inspiring...loved the move aswel, heartwarming...kudos doc 🎊

[@anneritchie426]

Loved the documentary

[@sulmamejia7508]

Start with the possible, then you will end doing the impossible...this is you Doctor and the Divers and everybody envolved in the rescue. You are the real CREATION OF GOD.

[@alanshearer9032]

Thank you from thailand and love you 🇹🇭❤🇦🇺

[@mrbigw100]

Sadly the team’s captain Dom who was rescued from the cave just passed away at a soccer academy in England from a head injury

[@realhazel1807]

Thank you heroes! 🙏🏼

[@guyhmajor]

Amazing man!! Amazing Australian!! His decency is inspiring.

[@konczita82]

These are the heroes we as people should look up to❤️

[@intimatecleanse]

God bless this man 🙏🏽

[@AsmanizanAhmad]

Interesting listening to DR Harris. Brilliant and humble at the same time. Silly approach of questions though by the journalist.. 'did you plan to be Australian of the year?'... Really?? 😬🤭

[@gabrielmaalouf360]

I watched the document tonight on abc I salute you and god bless you

[@sunnyrathod8919]

we need more heroes like you.

[@irenedemarco1354]

We knew you could do it, and you did... high risk but the only way to bring those young children and their coach out safely.... All the divers, every a one, are heroes.... Thank you, thank you, thank you.... 💞✌️🙏

[@titil0la930]

Amazing every time I watch Thailand Cave Rescue. God is good

[@blueturtle1813]

what an impressive man!

[@markwilliams369]

Pure bravery. Imagine the pressure they would have faced if the first or second boy had not made it out alive. They must have considered this - the fact is they had no choice but to continue as the monsoon would be full blown in the following days and they would have perished.

[@Alvin-eq5rc]

Just watched the movie. Truly heroic act

[@alexandros8361]

Absolutely right Harry! Learning to do dangerous things, safely! Its been my own mantra! Of course you’re always walking on the edge a bit! But the more risk you survive, the more you’re able to survive risk! Though sometimes you do need the angels with you! Best wishes! (I'm also an Aussie medic and once deco diver)

[@madelainedinodano4702]

Great doc. Harris

[@julieannehowe5091]

Dr Harris you are the best.x

[@suziewhattley3917]

"keen as mustard"...what a cute saying!

[@jubethsanchez8419]

Dr harris your always be a hero.its mission imposible

[@omrrizwan9091]

What a man 😮

[@beuair8328]

Thx u we love u

[@cocoaorange1]

Wonderful story.

[@turbopower5733]

God bless everyone

[@rusty5078]

Watched thirteen lives and cave rescue and I can't help but think of a line that goes...at the beginning if we bought just one out alive we would have been hero's but towards the end, if we lost just one..... I can't imagine what the divers went through emotionally knowing if it went wrong it was going to look horrific when you take into account tying the children up and drugging them with ketamine.

[@notused.]

Me too Rusty. That phrase went deep with me too. The pressure they must have felt x

[@rusty5078]

@@notused. yeah. If it went wrong in any way god only knows how the media would have spun it. The rescuers tie the children's hands and feet, drug them unconscious and it fails. 😳 That's gonna have people in jail for sure by the time the outcry worldwide hits in full effect.

[@notused.]

@@rusty5078 I think that the president guy gave them immunity in an attempt to save their lives and go ahead with the secret plan, but still. Who'd want That on their shoulders

[@cloud9847]

man, the burden put on this man. If it didn't work out... Truly. Truly. Truly an incredible situation. The local volunteers on the mountain diverted something like 56million gallons of water away from the cave.

[@mdb831]

Balls of steel on this guy.

[@teresacorrigan3076]

Heroes. Thank you. In our small ordinary ways let us honour them by our own selfless heroism. That’s a win Win. For those all species souls we help.

[@DonnaLeidi]

No all privileged people are snotty, this one is down to earth who simply wants to give back as volunteer. Saving , helping others !

[@sorsinnantasuk712]

Hero

[@lilblackfish2009]

this should be a movie

[@petercross6960]

WORLD bloke of the year 2018

[@dush_shanibae]

He's the definition of a "Hero"...

[@davidfitzgerald3653]

Richard Harris is a cave diver on a different level than most divers. His opinion is undisputable. He is the type of guy that can be at 600 feet or 70 feet and it is another dive. I've seen him. It really is unreal to watch. The discipline is something that you can't teach. He must be quit a man. The decomps he puts himself through for the love of exploration. God's speed. Its because of men like him we put men on the moon

[@ghosted5604]

Dude was at the other side of world rescuing people while his dad was at home sick. Dude got good & bad news at the same time..... Good news: he rescued all 13 boys. Bad news: he lost his dad

[@emmerentiagroenewald3694]

My condolences to you ....losing your dad.....😥🌹❤

[@blueturtle1813]

much deserved!

[@jaanc8047]

19:10-20:30 Best part about how the first boy got picked

[@bodhimarshall8668]

Ketamine gotta love it.

[@cristalhernandez08]

❤❤❤❤

[@jijiwnn1199]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Knockyourselfout89]

he looks thin now. be safe and. healthy

[@Lifespark74]

I wonder if the Aussie rescuers still kept in touch with the british divers on these cave expeditions etc

[@adriansmith3427]

I think they are all a part of an international rescue group of divers, they work as a team regularly. Atleast that was the impression I got from the film!

[@imwatchingyoutonight]

10 minutes in and this lady has talked more about herself than she asked him questions.

[@dcapnslapaho4579]

what are the odds of them being acquainted with each other and being a cave diver/anaesthetist