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A CAVE DIVER who lives in Ennis, Co Clare flew out to Thailand on Friday and was part of the rescue mission that saved the 12 boys and coach trapped in a cave.
After 18 days trapped in the flooded Thai cave, the 12 boys and their football coach are now freed following an astonishing rescue mission.
Jim Warny, an active cave diver and member of the Irish Cave Rescue Organisation (ICRO), was part of that mission.
Brían MacCoitir of the ICRO told TheJournal.ie that Warny flew from Shannon on Friday.
MacCoitir said that Warny called back home today to say everything worked out.
“He did say it was very difficult, very challenging and it has been full on between travelling out and diving.
We can now breathe a sigh of relief that the rescue was successful and also that our colleague is safe and well.
The Belgian Ambassador to Ireland Pierre-Emmanuel De Bauw sent a tweet congratulating Warny who is a Belgian national and resident of Ennis, Co Clare.
He said Warny played “a decisive role in saving the lives of the 12 boys and their coach in Thailand”.
MacCoitir explained that Thai authorities had requested cave divers from the British Cave Rescue Council (BCRC).
“The British Cave Rescue Council is an umbrella body for cave rescue teams like ourselves. We are affiliated even though we are independent.
“They sent over initial groups of divers and a few support staff but when plans changed and it formulated to diving out teams – they sent further request for more assistance.”
Warney was contacted because he’s part of a cave diving group with the BCRC. It has a number of specialist groups including cave search and rescue, cave diving groups, etc.
MacCoitir said Warny’s role is now finished so he’s expected to return home in the next couple of days, adding, “It’s great, the fact that everything has worked out”.
Meanwhile, an east Limerick village has been commended for the role it played in the Thai rescue.
Specialist diving equipment from Cappamore, Co Limerick was rushed to Thailand last week after local man, Cathal Mullane, responded to an emergency worldwide appeal for the kit.
Fine Gael Minister Patrick O’Donovan said it proved crucial in the rescue of the boys and their coach who had been trapped underground for more than two weeks.
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Not all heroes wear capes.. But quite a few wear oxygen tanks it seems. Well done all involved and RIP the one who perished during this rescue. Hopefully they honour his name in future.
Fair play to him, the drilling crew from Limerick and all involved. There’s a lot of bad people and a lot of bad news in this world but it’s heart warming to see humanity from all across the globe join together in situations like this
Its rumoured that Neymar offered his services as well when he heard they were looking for expert divers!
@James Quinn: Get your coat ;)
@James Quinn: good one james …go back to your little corner brat
@James Quinn: its rumored that at night U will be placed in a dark cave and left for 18 days u will then try to make that comment again
@Darren Farrell: The kids have seen the light after 18 days but you could do with lightening up just a small bit and before u mention it, RIP to the one hero who gave his life trying to rescue them.
@James Quinn: they are the only football team in the world that don’t know how to dive !
It is impossible to adequautely say “well done and thanks”. TH.
@Tom Hourigan: And I forgot to remember the brave Seal who died for the 13 who live. It is easy to be understandably euphoric about the successful rescue, which is tremendous. But, let’s remember and never forget the brave man who died. Let’s acknowledge that this brave man has a living and grief-stricken family today, who must cope with their great loss.
One must also have sympathy for the coach, just a young man. When he lead his young team-members into the cave, he did so in good faith. Let not anybody lay blame at his door.
For all involved, life will pose challenges in different ways into the future , best wishes to you all. TH.
@Tom Hourigan: the coach is also credited with keeping the boys alive. The families of the boys ha e acknowledged him, let’s hope the western media follows suit
@EillieEs: Well said.
Thailand’s reputation for happy endings continues
@Paul: LOL
Great news indeed I do pity the poor coach, he’s going to be vilified by the mediahadeen, they’ll trawl up any dirt they can find, because for every hero….there must be a villian.
@zippo: only for the coach , those children may have died . He is a hero .
@Bríd Uí Mhaoluala: totally agree Bríd, hope the press do too…
Good on ye Jim Warny & Cappamore man
Cathal Mullane….Plus everyone involved
I am very curious to know if the Coach was wearing a Rolex Explorer II watch? The same watch is used by professional cavers.
Just asking!
I am curious to know if the Coach was wearing a Rolex Explorer II watch?
The watch is used by professional and experienced cavers so as to tell whether it is night or day when exploring in a darkened cave.
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