With typically British modesty and understatement, Clifton Rotary’s guest speaker John Volanthen, seen above with President Jay, described the astonishing rescue in June and July 2018 of a group of 13 boys who were trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand. The boys and their coach from a local football team owe their lives to the heroism and determination of John Volanthen and his colleagues Rick Stanton and Rod Harper.
The boys were trapped for 3 weeks. Using diving equipment, John and his colleagues risked their lives to swim through the cave system and on Day 10 managed to locate the boys who, miraculously, were still alive. Their photos of the boys went viral within minutes.
On Day 16, John and his colleagues started the dangerous task of getting the boys to the surface. One by one, they sedated the boys, fitted diving equipment and escorted them to safety. Each journey was perilous and took 3 to 4 hours to navigate through the tight channels and the fast flowing, murky waters. All the boys survived.
John Volanthen lives in Long Ashton only a few miles from where he delivered his talk to over 40 members and guests of Clifton Rotary.
How does he do what he does?
Apparently, when faced with impossible difficulties he doesn’t give up. He says “Why not?”
Such bravery and skills should justifiably be recognised and John was awarded the George Medal for his outstanding part in this operation.