Richard Harris, a hero of Dr. Aussie, in a family tragedy

Tragedy hit the Australian doctor at the heart of the rescue of the young Thai football team with the death of his father, shortly after the remaining boys and their coach escaped their cavernous prison.

Adelaide Anesthetist and Underwater Explorer Richard "Harry" Harris risked his own life to make the perilous journey into the underground chamber where the group was trapped for two weeks.

But the successful rescue was completed on Tuesday, Harris's father died, his boss and MedSTAR. Clinical Director Andrew Pearce said: "It is with great sadness that I confirm that Harry's father died last night shortly after the successful rescue operation in Thailand," he said. in a statement.

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"He will come back home soon and enjoy a well deserved rest to be with his family, and he asked that the privacy of the family be respected at that time. "

Pearce stated that any The South Australia Ambulance Service team was "incredibly proud" of the work Harris did.

"We're thrilled The boys are safe and he's been able to play such a remarkable role in the Australian response." e. "

Harris was hailed as a hero, having made the dangerous four-kilometer journey inside and outside Tham Luang Cave every day. to check the health of the boys trapped

The circumstances of the death of Harris' father are unknown.

David Strike, a dive event organizer who has known Harris for over a decade, Harris and the other members of the international team who helped save the boys were all heroes .

"Richard is part of a team of extraordinarily skilled and extraordinary people willing to sacrifice their own comfort, safety and well-being for the benefit of others," he

"C & # 39 is an overused term, but all involved are true heroes. "

Harris, anesthetist and rescue expert in caves of South Australia, had played a role In the rescue operation in northwestern Thailand, the Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop, said Wednesday

that he has attracted international attention to evaluate the health of boys and their coach.

Bishop stated that Dr. Harris is internationally recognized for his expertise in speleological rescue and that he is leading a rescue operation in the caverns.

The South Australian anesthesiologist is well known to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for his medical help. Assistance teams during natural disasters in the Pacific Region and its time working at the Port Villa Hospital in Vanuatu with the Australian aid program.

Speaking on the Australian TV Show Sunrise on Wednesday This morning, Bishop said the Australian government was "just thrilled" with the work of Harris and his diving partner , Craig Challen, who is a veterinarian from Perth

"Between them and the rest of the Australian team, I believe an integral part of the overall rescue," she said.

– AP and Sydney Morning Herald