The father of an Australian doctor pivotal to the rescue of the Thai youth football team has died just as the operation was completed.
Dr Richard 'Harry' Harris, an Adelaide anaesthetist and cave diving expert, risked his life making the four-kilometre journey through Chiang Rai cave each day to medically assess the 12 boys and coach trapped inside, ABC reports.
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But shortly after the success completion of the rescue operation, Dr Harris received a phone call notifying him his father has passed away.
Dr Harris' boss and MedSTAR clinical director Andrew Pearce released a statement saying Dr Harris had played a remarkable role in the Australian response to the rescue that captured global attention.
"This is clearly a time of grief for the Harris family, magnified by the physical and emotional demands of being part of this week's highly complex and ultimately successful rescue operation," he said.
Dr Harris was meant to be on holiday when he responded to a call from Thai authorities for help, after he was named by the British diving team as the best in the business.
With over 30 years of diving experience and medical skills, Dr Harris was part of a 20-strong Australian response group.
The circumstances of his father's death are unknown, but Dr Harris has asked for privacy.
Newshub.
