1 00:00:10,511 --> 00:00:11,610 Boy: Hey you! 2 00:00:11,712 --> 00:00:14,113 Diver: How many of you? 3 00:00:14,215 --> 00:00:16,115 Narrator: For almost three weeks, 4 00:00:16,217 --> 00:00:19,601 13 young lives hang in the balance. 5 00:00:20,571 --> 00:00:23,639 Jason: We didn't want them to die and we didn't want to die ourselves. 6 00:00:25,443 --> 00:00:28,477 Narrator: Then, against all the odds. 7 00:00:30,181 --> 00:00:33,248 Reporter (over tv): Mission impossible has become mission incredible! 8 00:00:36,270 --> 00:00:40,072 Narrator: One of the greatest rescues of all time. 9 00:00:41,442 --> 00:00:43,442 Pasakorn: It was like a miracle 10 00:00:46,180 --> 00:00:48,180 Narrator: But questions remain. 11 00:00:48,282 --> 00:00:50,632 How did the boys get trapped? 12 00:00:50,735 --> 00:00:53,769 Why was it so hard to rescue them? 13 00:00:55,239 --> 00:00:57,106 Martyn: The prospect of a diving rescue was 14 00:00:57,208 --> 00:00:59,308 Hideous from the outset. 15 00:00:59,410 --> 00:01:01,910 Narrator: And how was it done? 16 00:01:02,012 --> 00:01:04,313 Chris: Nothing like this has ever happened before. 17 00:01:04,415 --> 00:01:06,682 Jason: Everything was experimental. 18 00:01:07,935 --> 00:01:10,736 Narrator: Now, with unprecedented access, 19 00:01:10,838 --> 00:01:15,007 A team of cavers conducts the first ever 3d scan of 20 00:01:15,109 --> 00:01:19,111 Tham luang, to uncover the answers. 21 00:01:22,016 --> 00:01:25,801 Reconstructing the cave in perfect detail. 22 00:01:27,605 --> 00:01:29,338 Roo: We're going to be able to actually show what that 23 00:01:29,440 --> 00:01:31,573 Passage was really like. 24 00:01:32,243 --> 00:01:35,010 Narrator: Transforming our understanding of the 25 00:01:35,112 --> 00:01:37,513 Thai cave rescue. 26 00:01:39,650 --> 00:01:41,567 Vern: If two of them came out alive that would've 27 00:01:41,669 --> 00:01:43,602 Been a good result. 28 00:01:45,539 --> 00:01:51,176 (theme music plays). 29 00:01:56,183 --> 00:02:01,069 Narrator: 13 young survivors and a moment few thought possible. 30 00:02:03,107 --> 00:02:04,406 Boy: Thank you so much. 31 00:02:04,508 --> 00:02:06,608 (speaking in native language). 32 00:02:06,710 --> 00:02:08,644 Boy: Thank you. 33 00:02:11,615 --> 00:02:14,933 Narrator: Leaving the hospital, after an astonishing escape 34 00:02:15,035 --> 00:02:17,769 And a terrifying ordeal. 35 00:02:30,401 --> 00:02:35,237 25 days earlier, a school soccer team, the wild boars, 36 00:02:35,339 --> 00:02:39,007 Enjoyed a day trip to tham luang cave. 37 00:02:41,011 --> 00:02:45,180 This is the last picture taken before they entered, 38 00:02:46,717 --> 00:02:49,868 As night fell they were still inside. 39 00:02:57,978 --> 00:02:59,778 Reporter (over tv): A dozen member of a youth football 40 00:02:59,880 --> 00:03:02,514 Team and their coach are missing. 41 00:03:02,616 --> 00:03:04,766 Reporter (over tv): Thought to be trapped in an underground cave. 42 00:03:04,869 --> 00:03:07,002 Narongsak: Every minute is important. 43 00:03:09,974 --> 00:03:12,474 Narrator: It would take 18 days, 44 00:03:15,279 --> 00:03:17,880 17 cave divers, 45 00:03:18,682 --> 00:03:24,369 200 air cylinders, a mile of rope, 46 00:03:24,471 --> 00:03:28,106 10,000 volunteers from over 20 countries, 47 00:03:28,943 --> 00:03:31,677 And one death, 48 00:03:32,213 --> 00:03:35,847 Before they could bring the wild boars out of the cave. 49 00:03:38,102 --> 00:03:40,135 Pasakorn: The whole world had their eyes upon us 50 00:03:40,237 --> 00:03:42,437 To see what we would do. 51 00:03:43,340 --> 00:03:44,907 Reporter (over tv): We begin tonight in thailand with the 52 00:03:45,009 --> 00:03:47,976 Life and death drama that's captivating the world. 53 00:03:48,679 --> 00:03:50,746 Narrator: The drama played out deep beneath the 54 00:03:50,848 --> 00:03:54,032 Doi nang non mountains of northern thailand. 55 00:04:06,180 --> 00:04:09,481 Ten months later, a british team of cave explorers sets 56 00:04:09,583 --> 00:04:13,335 Out to conduct the first ever digital 3d survey 57 00:04:13,437 --> 00:04:16,371 Inside tham luang cave. 58 00:04:22,012 --> 00:04:24,746 They will journey deep inside. 59 00:04:27,334 --> 00:04:30,002 Hoping to discover the truth behind the 60 00:04:30,104 --> 00:04:33,305 Extraordinary events of 2018. 61 00:04:36,744 --> 00:04:40,812 Leading the expedition is cave explorer roo walters. 62 00:04:43,417 --> 00:04:45,200 Roo: When the divers entered these caves, 63 00:04:45,302 --> 00:04:46,668 They couldn't see a thing. 64 00:04:46,770 --> 00:04:48,470 They literally felt their way through. 65 00:04:48,572 --> 00:04:51,740 So we're going to show what that passage was really like. 66 00:04:52,810 --> 00:04:54,776 Narrator: Now that it's the dry season, 67 00:04:54,878 --> 00:04:59,114 The team can penetrate the darkness to deploy the latest technology 68 00:05:01,669 --> 00:05:04,936 And scan the cave in forensic detail. 69 00:05:07,541 --> 00:05:09,875 Roo: It'll start to reveal just how clever and how 70 00:05:09,977 --> 00:05:12,911 Inspirational this whole exercise has been. 71 00:05:15,215 --> 00:05:17,165 Narrator: Even in the dry season, 72 00:05:17,267 --> 00:05:20,135 Working here will be challenging. 73 00:05:26,210 --> 00:05:30,312 After two hours, the survey team is in a squeeze. 74 00:05:31,015 --> 00:05:33,115 Man: And then it closes down again. 75 00:05:33,217 --> 00:05:34,766 Narrator: Trying to reach the place where the boys 76 00:05:34,868 --> 00:05:38,036 Were eventually found, to begin their scan. 77 00:05:41,508 --> 00:05:43,208 Man: How you doing there? 78 00:05:43,310 --> 00:05:44,910 Yeah? 79 00:05:45,012 --> 00:05:48,080 Narrator: They reach an area called chamber 9. 80 00:05:48,198 --> 00:05:50,215 Roo: It changes direction here joe. 81 00:05:50,317 --> 00:05:52,434 Joe: Yeah. Got a line up here. 82 00:05:54,638 --> 00:05:59,441 Narrator: This rope, put in place by the rescue divers. 83 00:05:59,543 --> 00:06:03,645 To help guide them through the silty water. 84 00:06:09,770 --> 00:06:11,203 Joe: Oh. Wow. 85 00:06:11,305 --> 00:06:15,107 Roo: Wow look at this! It's the end of the line joe. 86 00:06:19,913 --> 00:06:23,148 Narrator: It was here the boys took refuge. 87 00:06:25,602 --> 00:06:27,302 Joe: That's quite something isn't it? 88 00:06:27,404 --> 00:06:31,506 Roo: That really is something... 89 00:06:33,477 --> 00:06:34,910 Gosh! 90 00:06:35,012 --> 00:06:38,180 Narrator: Left behind, foil blankets and remnants of 91 00:06:38,282 --> 00:06:41,900 Survival from 18 days underground. 92 00:06:43,771 --> 00:06:46,772 Joe: Wow. Not a lot of space is there. 93 00:06:46,874 --> 00:06:48,607 Roo: It's not a lot of space. 94 00:06:48,709 --> 00:06:52,411 Narrator: And an insignia, left by the four thai navy seals 95 00:06:52,513 --> 00:06:55,914 Who joined the boys on this muddy ledge for 8 days. 96 00:06:57,017 --> 00:06:59,401 Roo: This is incredible, absolutely incredible. 97 00:06:59,503 --> 00:07:01,503 Joe: It's something else isn't it? 98 00:07:01,605 --> 00:07:04,239 Roo: It's emotional, it is. 99 00:07:04,541 --> 00:07:07,943 Narrator: They can now start scanning the cave. 100 00:07:08,479 --> 00:07:12,180 Sending out 300,000 laser beams a second 101 00:07:12,282 --> 00:07:16,301 And recording every reflection back from the cave walls. 102 00:07:17,771 --> 00:07:20,205 The team hopes its data will explain exactly how 103 00:07:20,307 --> 00:07:22,808 The boys got trapped. 104 00:07:33,370 --> 00:07:37,005 Ten months earlier, the first rescue team was on site. 105 00:07:37,841 --> 00:07:41,643 A mile inside the cave they made an alarming discovery. 106 00:07:41,745 --> 00:07:45,914 The passage they knew the boys had taken just hours earlier 107 00:07:46,016 --> 00:07:49,034 Was now, full of muddy water. 108 00:07:49,703 --> 00:07:51,837 Where had it come from? 109 00:07:51,939 --> 00:07:55,173 And why had it risen so quickly? 110 00:08:02,916 --> 00:08:06,501 To find out, the survey team must scan the cave system from 111 00:08:06,603 --> 00:08:10,739 Where the boys were trapped, all the way to the entrance. 112 00:08:13,143 --> 00:08:15,477 The team works its way through the tunnels, 113 00:08:15,579 --> 00:08:18,146 Scanning every crack and fissure. 114 00:08:18,248 --> 00:08:20,632 Roo: Alright joe? Joe: Yeah all good. 115 00:08:21,301 --> 00:08:23,602 Narrator: After half a mile they reach a point they think 116 00:08:23,704 --> 00:08:27,272 Is critical, called sam yek junction. 117 00:08:29,810 --> 00:08:31,743 Roo: I think this must be sam yek junction guys. 118 00:08:31,845 --> 00:08:33,812 Joe: Yeah. 119 00:08:34,381 --> 00:08:38,166 Narrator: The data they collect at sam yek junction will be vital. 120 00:08:46,043 --> 00:08:48,843 Feeding it into powerful computer software, 121 00:08:48,946 --> 00:08:53,048 We can now recreate the first section of the cave system, 122 00:08:53,150 --> 00:08:57,035 In perfect 3 dimensional detail. 123 00:08:58,438 --> 00:09:03,642 This is chamber 9 where the boys were finally trapped... 124 00:09:05,946 --> 00:09:09,915 And this, the half mile long passage back... 125 00:09:14,071 --> 00:09:17,539 To sam yek junction. 126 00:09:27,834 --> 00:09:31,870 But a closer look at sam yek reveals a clue. 127 00:09:32,773 --> 00:09:37,242 Another tunnel, monks series, joins the main cave system here. 128 00:09:40,847 --> 00:09:44,532 In the rainy season when these caves fill with water, 129 00:09:44,635 --> 00:09:49,971 Sam yek becomes the meeting point for two underground rivers. 130 00:09:55,846 --> 00:09:58,580 Water finds its way through the cracks and channels of the 131 00:09:58,682 --> 00:10:02,567 Limestone mountains into tham luang's cave system. 132 00:10:05,472 --> 00:10:08,506 Vern: This mountain is just a big sponge and during the 133 00:10:08,609 --> 00:10:12,711 Rainy season there's a huge volume of water travels 134 00:10:12,813 --> 00:10:16,181 Through tham luang cave, basically like a big river. 135 00:10:20,037 --> 00:10:22,537 Narrator: Back in 2018 when the boys and their coach 136 00:10:22,639 --> 00:10:26,207 Started exploring, there was no sign of rain. 137 00:10:28,879 --> 00:10:33,281 They had no difficulty walking through sam yek junction. 138 00:10:37,537 --> 00:10:41,506 But outside, the weather was changing fast. 139 00:10:43,710 --> 00:10:47,646 The heavy monsoon rains had arrived weeks early. 140 00:10:49,149 --> 00:10:53,401 Almost an inch of rain fell in an hour. 141 00:11:01,111 --> 00:11:04,312 Water seeped through the limestone mountains, 142 00:11:04,414 --> 00:11:07,599 Funneling down into tham luang. 143 00:11:10,671 --> 00:11:14,372 And then at sam yek junction, the other passage, 144 00:11:14,474 --> 00:11:18,910 Monks series, brought yet more water into the cave. 145 00:11:27,003 --> 00:11:31,373 At sam yek's narrowest point the junction filled in just an hour, 146 00:11:31,475 --> 00:11:34,909 Flooding it to the roof. 147 00:11:38,215 --> 00:11:43,601 The boys were now sealed inside the cave system with no way out. 148 00:11:47,107 --> 00:11:50,608 Roo: Sam yek is the crux of this story and the 3d model 149 00:11:50,711 --> 00:11:54,446 Clearly shows how that water then flooded the cave and 150 00:11:54,548 --> 00:11:56,748 Entrapped the boys. 151 00:11:57,601 --> 00:11:59,467 Vern: It was very isolated. 152 00:11:59,569 --> 00:12:02,437 There was actually nowhere for them to go. 153 00:12:04,174 --> 00:12:07,208 Narrator: As rain continued to fall... 154 00:12:07,310 --> 00:12:09,677 Water levels rose further. 155 00:12:10,847 --> 00:12:15,667 Forcing the boys deeper inside as they looked for higher ground. 156 00:12:17,070 --> 00:12:20,171 So how did they survive? 157 00:12:28,782 --> 00:12:35,170 ♪ ♪ 158 00:12:36,139 --> 00:12:38,072 Narrator: Desperate local officials called in the 159 00:12:38,175 --> 00:12:41,843 Country's elite divers to search for the boys. 160 00:12:43,246 --> 00:12:45,613 The thai navy seals... 161 00:12:48,034 --> 00:12:52,270 But the still rising water and strong currents forced them back. 162 00:12:54,207 --> 00:12:55,707 Omar (over tv): Relentless rain is jeopardizing an 163 00:12:55,809 --> 00:12:57,475 Already risky operation. 164 00:12:57,577 --> 00:12:58,943 Reporter (over tv): They believe that there has been 165 00:12:59,045 --> 00:13:01,112 Flash flooding inside. 166 00:13:01,281 --> 00:13:04,966 Omar (over tv): The desperate race now is to find another way in. 167 00:13:10,240 --> 00:13:13,508 Narrator: Above ground armies of cavers scoured the 168 00:13:13,610 --> 00:13:17,045 Mountains looking for a way into the cave from above. 169 00:13:19,783 --> 00:13:21,900 The search was gathering momentum. 170 00:13:28,208 --> 00:13:31,442 On day 9, a breakthrough. 171 00:13:32,078 --> 00:13:35,313 Electric pumps reduced the water levels. 172 00:13:37,734 --> 00:13:41,469 Making it safe enough for the navy seals to dive. 173 00:13:43,206 --> 00:13:48,543 They hunted for signs of life, deep inside and laid a 174 00:13:48,645 --> 00:13:52,347 Guideline to mark their route back to safety. 175 00:13:54,367 --> 00:13:56,935 Josh: We didn't really know exactly where the boys were. 176 00:13:57,037 --> 00:13:59,737 I thought it was probably more likely they were dead than 177 00:13:59,840 --> 00:14:02,307 Alive at that point. 178 00:14:03,710 --> 00:14:06,644 Narrator: But they weren't dead. 179 00:14:06,746 --> 00:14:09,380 So how did they survive? 180 00:14:13,403 --> 00:14:17,438 Revisiting the data of the flooded cave reveals the answer. 181 00:14:19,276 --> 00:14:21,476 This is sam yek. 182 00:14:21,578 --> 00:14:25,780 Where the water rose quickly, trapping more water behind it. 183 00:14:30,837 --> 00:14:36,040 But here in chamber 9, the boys managed to find refuge. 184 00:14:38,144 --> 00:14:42,447 Discovering a solitary shaft off the main passage. 185 00:14:43,183 --> 00:14:47,569 They scrambled up 14 feet above the water line. 186 00:14:52,108 --> 00:14:55,560 It's a safe haven, in a dark lofty hollow, 187 00:14:55,645 --> 00:15:00,248 That reaches 124 feet above the rest of the cave. 188 00:15:02,836 --> 00:15:05,837 This was the only space in the cave in which the boys 189 00:15:05,939 --> 00:15:08,973 Could have survived. 190 00:15:12,312 --> 00:15:16,381 But a closer look at the cave data shows an intriguing anomaly, 191 00:15:18,168 --> 00:15:22,136 At the highest point of the boy's refuge a small cavity, 192 00:15:22,238 --> 00:15:26,407 Two and a half feet wide and 9 feet long. 193 00:15:29,479 --> 00:15:31,746 Roo: It doesn't look like a normal piece of cave it really 194 00:15:31,848 --> 00:15:34,866 Sticks out and that's because it isn't. 195 00:15:34,968 --> 00:15:37,835 Narrator: Revealed in the data, for the first time, 196 00:15:37,938 --> 00:15:40,655 A tunnel the boys dug out. 197 00:15:41,541 --> 00:15:42,840 Roo: It's amazing. 198 00:15:42,943 --> 00:15:44,342 Little stone tools are still there, 199 00:15:44,444 --> 00:15:48,346 Scratches in the sides of the walls are still there. 200 00:15:51,601 --> 00:15:53,568 What must have been going through their minds as they dug 201 00:15:53,670 --> 00:15:57,005 With no idea of how far underground they are. 202 00:15:59,576 --> 00:16:03,378 Narrator: Could the boys have dug themselves out from chamber 9? 203 00:16:03,480 --> 00:16:06,648 How far underground were they? 204 00:16:07,867 --> 00:16:11,135 To find out, the team need to do more than just survey 205 00:16:11,237 --> 00:16:13,972 Inside the cave. 206 00:16:18,611 --> 00:16:22,780 They must also discover exactly where tham luang lies, 207 00:16:22,882 --> 00:16:25,733 Beneath the mountains. 208 00:16:27,837 --> 00:16:31,372 The investigation takes to the air. 209 00:16:35,045 --> 00:16:38,079 Roo: We can connect the cave 3d model to the surface model 210 00:16:38,181 --> 00:16:40,882 And from that we'll actually be able to work out exactly 211 00:16:40,984 --> 00:16:43,701 How far the boys were underground. 212 00:16:46,706 --> 00:16:50,041 Narrator: Combining this aerial data with the underground scan, 213 00:16:50,143 --> 00:16:53,378 We can pinpoint exactly where the boys were 214 00:16:53,480 --> 00:16:57,015 In the mountain, 215 00:16:57,117 --> 00:17:00,802 One and half miles from the cave entrance, 216 00:17:02,472 --> 00:17:07,141 And above them, lay 2,000 feet of solid rock. 217 00:17:07,243 --> 00:17:10,511 Accurately revealed for the first time, 218 00:17:10,613 --> 00:17:14,499 The boys' complete isolation. 219 00:17:16,336 --> 00:17:19,871 Digging a tunnel was futile. 220 00:17:21,474 --> 00:17:24,776 Roo: What we've discovered, is just how remote the boys were. 221 00:17:24,878 --> 00:17:27,912 It must have been terrifying for them. 222 00:17:38,208 --> 00:17:41,776 Narrator: Dive teams had searched the flooded cave for days. 223 00:17:44,581 --> 00:17:47,215 Two british cave-divers joined them, 224 00:17:47,317 --> 00:17:50,601 Helping to lay more guideline. 225 00:17:52,672 --> 00:17:56,074 Then, a mile and a half inside... 226 00:18:20,717 --> 00:18:22,600 Reporter (over tv): Dramatic scenes in thailand. 227 00:18:22,702 --> 00:18:24,936 Reporter (over tv): Against all odds rescuers in thailand 228 00:18:25,038 --> 00:18:27,472 Have found 12 missing boys. 229 00:18:27,574 --> 00:18:30,374 Reporter (over tv): Well what an amazing day. 230 00:18:33,279 --> 00:18:35,313 Reporter (over tv): For family members pure elation after a 231 00:18:35,415 --> 00:18:38,199 Heart-breaking waiting game. 232 00:18:41,604 --> 00:18:44,305 Narrator: The boys had survived underground for 233 00:18:44,407 --> 00:18:47,875 10 days with only the water dripping from the cave walls 234 00:18:47,977 --> 00:18:50,812 To sustain them. 235 00:18:51,815 --> 00:18:55,066 Within hours the thai navy seals delivered food, 236 00:18:55,168 --> 00:18:59,103 Medicine and foil blankets to prevent hypothermia. 237 00:19:00,206 --> 00:19:04,175 But one thing was on everyone's minds... 238 00:19:05,044 --> 00:19:10,381 Vern: Very quickly we realized that our problem was only just beginning. 239 00:19:11,367 --> 00:19:14,268 Josh: Finding them is one thing but what are you gonna do next? 240 00:19:14,871 --> 00:19:18,239 Narrator: The thai authorities were desperate to find a simple solution. 241 00:19:20,910 --> 00:19:24,011 But it would take another 8 days of nerve-wracking and 242 00:19:24,113 --> 00:19:27,615 Dangerous work to get the boys out. 243 00:19:27,901 --> 00:19:31,402 Martyn: Little did we know how long and how complex that 244 00:19:31,504 --> 00:19:33,971 Operation was going to become. 245 00:19:39,112 --> 00:19:42,547 Narrator: The thai authorities identified three options... 246 00:19:43,183 --> 00:19:46,868 One: Wait for the monsoon rains to pass so the boys 247 00:19:46,970 --> 00:19:49,704 Could walk out of a dry cave. 248 00:19:49,806 --> 00:19:52,773 But that would take months. 249 00:19:54,477 --> 00:19:58,346 Two: Find another route into the cave from above. 250 00:19:58,448 --> 00:20:03,701 But a week of mountain searches discovered only dead ends. 251 00:20:06,139 --> 00:20:11,542 That left option three, the most extreme-sounding of all. 252 00:20:13,580 --> 00:20:15,046 Reporter (over tv): Are they gonna have to learn how to scuba dive 253 00:20:15,148 --> 00:20:18,499 Their way out of there I mean that's really a tall order. 254 00:20:19,185 --> 00:20:21,769 Reporter (over tv): Yeah it's crazy isn't it. 255 00:20:22,705 --> 00:20:25,339 Pasakorn: We came to the conclusion that the only way 256 00:20:25,441 --> 00:20:28,843 To bring the children out was the same way they went in. 257 00:20:31,464 --> 00:20:35,132 Martyn: The prospect of a diving rescue was hideous from the outset. 258 00:20:35,935 --> 00:20:38,703 Narrator: What is it about diving in tham luang that 259 00:20:38,805 --> 00:20:42,106 Makes it just so dangerous? 260 00:20:52,535 --> 00:20:55,036 Narrator: It takes three weeks for the survey team to scan 261 00:20:55,138 --> 00:20:57,805 Tham luang cave. 262 00:20:58,341 --> 00:21:03,010 All the way from chamber 9 to the cave entrance. 263 00:21:07,083 --> 00:21:10,434 The boys were one and a half miles inside. 264 00:21:10,536 --> 00:21:14,438 But they were safe, and divers had managed to navigate the 265 00:21:14,540 --> 00:21:17,141 Flooded tunnels to reach them. 266 00:21:18,344 --> 00:21:22,346 So why was it so difficult to get them out? 267 00:21:23,616 --> 00:21:26,968 To understand, takes big data. 268 00:21:27,737 --> 00:21:30,871 The team pieces together nearly 400 scans and 269 00:21:30,974 --> 00:21:33,741 Builds a virtual cave system... 270 00:21:35,645 --> 00:21:37,378 Roo: So this is full res. 271 00:21:37,480 --> 00:21:40,181 Joe: The detail in that roof is fantastic. 272 00:21:40,583 --> 00:21:44,402 Narrator: A new visualization of this underground world. 273 00:21:46,506 --> 00:21:48,639 Roo: We will start to be able to show everybody what this 274 00:21:48,741 --> 00:21:50,675 Cave is really like. 275 00:21:50,777 --> 00:21:52,877 It is gonna be quite magical. 276 00:21:52,979 --> 00:21:56,814 Narrator: With the world's first 3d digital survey of tham luang 277 00:21:56,916 --> 00:22:01,268 We can reveal the second section of the cave system, 278 00:22:01,371 --> 00:22:04,672 All the way from chamber 9 to the entrance. 279 00:22:07,944 --> 00:22:12,446 8.7 billion data points, 280 00:22:13,683 --> 00:22:16,934 More than 7000 photographs, 281 00:22:18,137 --> 00:22:24,475 Come together to build the flooded cave as it was in July 2018. 282 00:22:31,217 --> 00:22:36,637 Draining its water, for the first time.... 283 00:22:41,711 --> 00:22:46,280 Exposes all of its subterranean secrets. 284 00:22:53,439 --> 00:22:57,441 This is chamber 9 to sam yek 285 00:22:57,677 --> 00:23:01,212 And now, the rest of tham luang cave, 286 00:23:08,271 --> 00:23:12,506 A narrow tunnel, that widens to the entrance. 287 00:23:15,078 --> 00:23:18,913 All together one and a half miles, 288 00:23:19,015 --> 00:23:22,299 The boys' only route out. 289 00:23:30,143 --> 00:23:33,644 Adding the water level of the time to the digital map 290 00:23:33,746 --> 00:23:37,848 Reveals why tham luang's passages can be so lethal. 291 00:23:40,136 --> 00:23:43,938 In some places, underground canals formed. 292 00:23:45,208 --> 00:23:48,392 In others, the cave flooded to its roof, 293 00:23:48,478 --> 00:23:52,213 Fully submerging the passage, 294 00:23:54,150 --> 00:23:58,002 In five sections known as sumps. 295 00:24:01,407 --> 00:24:07,011 The longest sump lay next to chamber 9, over 1,000 feet long, 296 00:24:09,449 --> 00:24:13,033 The length of seven olympic swimming pools, 297 00:24:15,037 --> 00:24:18,506 Taken together there were half a mile of sumps, 298 00:24:18,608 --> 00:24:23,511 Standing between the boys and safety. 299 00:24:28,267 --> 00:24:32,703 And the visibility was almost zero. 300 00:24:34,073 --> 00:24:37,475 The only way to escape chamber 9 was a long 301 00:24:37,577 --> 00:24:40,611 Perilous cave dive with air tanks, 302 00:24:42,181 --> 00:24:44,715 A potentially deadly option, 303 00:24:44,817 --> 00:24:49,036 Even for thailand's diving elite, the navy seals. 304 00:24:50,873 --> 00:24:53,924 Jongklai: The thai navy seals who assisted with the rescue 305 00:24:54,010 --> 00:24:56,710 Had only trained in open seas. 306 00:24:56,812 --> 00:25:00,281 They'd never dived in very narrow spaces. 307 00:25:04,871 --> 00:25:07,838 Narrator: They needed specialist help. 308 00:25:08,441 --> 00:25:11,308 A local caver, vern unsworth, had been part of the 309 00:25:11,410 --> 00:25:14,445 Search and rescue mission since day one. 310 00:25:15,615 --> 00:25:19,967 After seven years exploring tham luang he well understood 311 00:25:20,069 --> 00:25:22,403 The challenge ahead. 312 00:25:22,538 --> 00:25:26,507 Vern: We needed expert people out here, and, you know, 313 00:25:26,626 --> 00:25:29,143 At the end of the day it was the right decision. 314 00:25:29,245 --> 00:25:31,712 Narrator: He gave the thai authorities a list of some of 315 00:25:31,814 --> 00:25:34,965 Britain's most experienced cave divers. 316 00:25:42,942 --> 00:25:48,512 An elite team arrived, including john velanthon, 317 00:25:49,715 --> 00:25:55,135 Rick stanton, jason mallinson and chris jewell. 318 00:25:57,940 --> 00:26:02,276 They are among just a small group of people in the world 319 00:26:02,378 --> 00:26:06,580 Who had the unique skills needed inside tham luang. 320 00:26:08,350 --> 00:26:10,467 Chris: When we realized this was the best chance of the 321 00:26:10,570 --> 00:26:12,369 Boys getting out alive, 322 00:26:12,471 --> 00:26:15,139 Then we were determined to give it our best shot. 323 00:26:18,611 --> 00:26:22,179 Narrator: A rescue plan developed. 324 00:26:22,949 --> 00:26:26,867 From the entrance, the first half mile of cave was dry. 325 00:26:26,969 --> 00:26:29,370 At the end of it, chamber 3. 326 00:26:29,472 --> 00:26:32,206 This would be dive base. 327 00:26:34,277 --> 00:26:36,744 From here, four cave divers would head deeper 328 00:26:36,846 --> 00:26:39,246 Into the flooded cave. 329 00:26:39,348 --> 00:26:42,933 Three hours later they would reach the soccer team. 330 00:26:43,769 --> 00:26:46,670 Four boys would be equipped with scuba gear. 331 00:26:48,007 --> 00:26:52,109 Then each diver would return with one boy 332 00:26:52,211 --> 00:26:55,346 At 30-minute intervals. 333 00:26:55,748 --> 00:26:59,033 If everything went to plan, it would take a full day to 334 00:26:59,135 --> 00:27:01,935 Extract four boys. 335 00:27:03,205 --> 00:27:05,506 On their way out, each diver and boy would need 336 00:27:05,608 --> 00:27:08,108 Replacement air tanks. 337 00:27:09,245 --> 00:27:14,882 So, they placed 50 of them throughout the cave and seven 338 00:27:14,950 --> 00:27:18,435 Support divers would wait between sumps to haul 339 00:27:18,537 --> 00:27:22,373 Equipment and provide medical backup. 340 00:27:24,377 --> 00:27:28,145 It was a rescue plan like no other. 341 00:27:28,681 --> 00:27:30,881 Chris: The situation in thailand was unprecedented. 342 00:27:30,983 --> 00:27:33,334 Nothing like this has, has ever happened before. 343 00:27:33,436 --> 00:27:36,203 Not those kind of distances and certainly that number of people. 344 00:27:46,115 --> 00:27:49,133 Narrator: There were nearly 100 divers on site. 345 00:27:51,837 --> 00:27:56,774 Emergency services, the us army and volunteers, 346 00:27:56,876 --> 00:27:59,877 Also out in force. 347 00:28:00,046 --> 00:28:04,982 All prepared and rehearsed for the first underwater extraction. 348 00:28:12,274 --> 00:28:16,176 At 1:30 am, tragedy. 349 00:28:16,946 --> 00:28:18,662 Vause (over tv): Breaking news out of thailand. 350 00:28:18,748 --> 00:28:22,332 Where a former thai navy seal has died during rescue operations. 351 00:28:24,003 --> 00:28:27,204 Narrator: Saman kunan, seen here with the rescue team, 352 00:28:27,306 --> 00:28:30,507 Was on an overnight mission to place air cylinders 353 00:28:30,609 --> 00:28:32,810 Inside the cave. 354 00:28:32,912 --> 00:28:36,046 It's believed his own air ran out. 355 00:28:37,683 --> 00:28:39,433 Reporter (over tv): This has taken on a whole new level of 356 00:28:39,535 --> 00:28:43,270 Seriousness, there's a sense of mourning here today. 357 00:28:45,107 --> 00:28:46,607 Reporter (over tv): It's raised serious doubts about 358 00:28:46,709 --> 00:28:50,210 How they'll get the 12 boys and their coach out alive. 359 00:28:51,680 --> 00:28:55,799 Narrator: How would the boys escape a cave that can kill 360 00:28:55,901 --> 00:28:58,469 Even the best divers? 361 00:29:07,913 --> 00:29:11,215 Narrator: Diving in tham luang had already taken one life. 362 00:29:13,169 --> 00:29:15,769 It was an even greater threat to children who 363 00:29:15,871 --> 00:29:18,605 Had never dived before. 364 00:29:19,742 --> 00:29:23,744 But the greatest danger of all, lay not in the cave, 365 00:29:23,846 --> 00:29:27,548 But in the heads of the boys themselves. 366 00:29:28,667 --> 00:29:31,869 Martyn: If you take an inexperienced person underwater 367 00:29:33,305 --> 00:29:38,075 Then there is a high probability that they're going to panic. 368 00:29:40,546 --> 00:29:44,148 How were they going to cope with something as traumatic 369 00:29:44,250 --> 00:29:47,167 As the prospect of diving, where you can't see 370 00:29:47,269 --> 00:29:50,070 Your hand in front of your face? 371 00:29:51,740 --> 00:29:53,674 Jason: If they'd have panicked underwater they could have not 372 00:29:53,776 --> 00:29:56,076 Only killed themselves, they could have dragged our 373 00:29:56,178 --> 00:29:59,513 Regulators out of our mouths we didn't want them to die and 374 00:29:59,615 --> 00:30:02,099 We didn't want to die ourselves. 375 00:30:08,808 --> 00:30:12,576 Narrator: So the divers made the most radical decision of the rescue. 376 00:30:12,678 --> 00:30:15,679 To sedate the children. 377 00:30:16,882 --> 00:30:19,766 Jason: It was a consensus amongst all the divers. 378 00:30:19,869 --> 00:30:23,470 We weren't going to risk doing it without them being sedated. 379 00:30:24,707 --> 00:30:27,274 Narrator: Doctors tailored a different mix of anesthetics 380 00:30:27,376 --> 00:30:31,078 For every child, depending on age and weight. 381 00:30:33,015 --> 00:30:37,534 No one had ever attempted to dive with unconscious children before. 382 00:30:38,637 --> 00:30:41,939 Martyn: Having to sedate these youngsters to such a level 383 00:30:42,041 --> 00:30:45,642 That they were incapacitated but remain alive, 384 00:30:45,744 --> 00:30:48,846 And then be thrust into the cold water was an 385 00:30:48,948 --> 00:30:51,081 Extremely risky proposition. 386 00:30:51,183 --> 00:30:52,866 Jason: As we were planning it we were thinking, 387 00:30:52,968 --> 00:30:55,969 You know it could be some of these kids that are gonna die. 388 00:30:56,906 --> 00:30:59,573 Narrator: And as our cave data reveal, 389 00:30:59,675 --> 00:31:02,576 Using a sedative left the cave divers with a 390 00:31:02,678 --> 00:31:05,212 Further complication. 391 00:31:08,767 --> 00:31:11,368 To extract each boy through the five sumps 392 00:31:11,470 --> 00:31:14,771 Would take three to five hours. 393 00:31:16,342 --> 00:31:21,411 But a safe dose of the sedative would last just an hour or less. 394 00:31:28,304 --> 00:31:31,405 And so, to prevent the boys from waking, 395 00:31:31,507 --> 00:31:34,408 The divers would have no option, 396 00:31:34,510 --> 00:31:38,278 They'd have to inject them during the rescue. 397 00:31:39,548 --> 00:31:42,182 Jason: Never actually done it before and yes it was the first time. 398 00:31:42,284 --> 00:31:44,334 I was quite nervous obviously. 399 00:31:44,436 --> 00:31:49,006 Narrator: And they could do that only in the dry parts of the cave, 400 00:31:49,108 --> 00:31:53,143 Between sumps, not underwater... 401 00:31:55,347 --> 00:32:00,033 Something that would bring diver jason mallinson close to disaster. 402 00:32:08,077 --> 00:32:10,711 Nature was not on the rescuer's side. 403 00:32:10,813 --> 00:32:13,146 More rain was forecast. 404 00:32:13,549 --> 00:32:16,199 Pasakorn: If we didn't rescue them immediately we might have 405 00:32:16,302 --> 00:32:18,402 Had even bigger problems. 406 00:32:18,938 --> 00:32:21,171 Narrator: They scheduled the extraction. 407 00:32:31,283 --> 00:32:34,301 Narrator: As more monsoon rain closed in, 408 00:32:34,403 --> 00:32:37,571 The divers headed inside tham luang. 409 00:32:38,140 --> 00:32:41,174 The boys had been underground for 16 days. 410 00:32:43,045 --> 00:32:48,382 The most dangerous cave diving rescue in history was about to begin... 411 00:32:50,002 --> 00:32:52,602 Vern: We honestly believed that there would be an attrition rate, 412 00:32:52,705 --> 00:32:54,905 If two of them came out alive that would've 413 00:32:55,007 --> 00:32:57,040 Been a good result. 414 00:32:57,142 --> 00:33:00,243 Narrator: And the world was watching. 415 00:33:05,567 --> 00:33:08,669 The rescuers began their dive to chamber 9. 416 00:33:10,372 --> 00:33:13,607 Jason mallinson volunteered to run the first rescue. 417 00:33:16,145 --> 00:33:20,914 The life in his hands was 14 year old prachak sutham, 418 00:33:21,016 --> 00:33:23,800 Nicknamed note. 419 00:33:24,269 --> 00:33:27,037 Jason: Until that first flooded section was traversed 420 00:33:27,139 --> 00:33:29,873 By myself and the boy, nothing else could move forward 421 00:33:31,276 --> 00:33:34,678 Narrator: Together they would discover if a rescue was possible. 422 00:33:36,015 --> 00:33:39,166 They fitted a single air tank to note's chest and gave him a 423 00:33:39,268 --> 00:33:42,436 Buoyancy vest with straps for jason to hold. 424 00:33:44,907 --> 00:33:49,743 In case contact was lost, a safety tether joined boy to rescuer. 425 00:33:51,914 --> 00:33:54,614 To stop note's mask being dislodged, 426 00:33:54,717 --> 00:33:58,135 Jason would shield the boy's head with his own body and 427 00:33:58,237 --> 00:34:03,373 Finally, for both their sakes, note's hands were tied to his 428 00:34:03,475 --> 00:34:06,476 Sides in case he awoke. 429 00:34:13,736 --> 00:34:18,538 Around 1 pm jason and note began the first journey out. 430 00:34:19,675 --> 00:34:23,710 With the cave data we can do something impossible up to now. 431 00:34:27,216 --> 00:34:31,735 Use technology to see through the muddy water to relive the 432 00:34:31,837 --> 00:34:36,173 Most dangerous cave diving rescue of all time. 433 00:34:37,376 --> 00:34:40,911 And reveal tham luang in a way that even the divers 434 00:34:41,013 --> 00:34:44,081 Were unable to see. 435 00:34:44,950 --> 00:34:49,936 This, the first sump, 1,000 feet long, underwater. 436 00:34:51,640 --> 00:34:57,043 And the dive line their only chance of finding their way to safety. 437 00:34:57,780 --> 00:34:59,312 Jason: The worst fear was losing contact with the 438 00:34:59,414 --> 00:35:02,299 Guideline and losing contact with the boy. 439 00:35:02,401 --> 00:35:05,469 We felt a tremendous amount of responsibility for the boys, 440 00:35:05,571 --> 00:35:09,172 A child's life that's in your hands, a child who's asleep, 441 00:35:09,274 --> 00:35:12,075 A child underwater. 442 00:35:13,112 --> 00:35:15,612 I was nervous a lot of the time. 443 00:35:16,882 --> 00:35:18,648 Narrator: At half hour intervals, 444 00:35:18,750 --> 00:35:22,636 Three more divers entered the first sump with three more boys. 445 00:35:24,373 --> 00:35:26,706 Not far behind jason and note, 446 00:35:26,809 --> 00:35:31,161 Were diver chris jewell and 15 year old nick. 447 00:35:34,950 --> 00:35:39,169 Separately each pair approached tham luang's first constriction. 448 00:35:39,771 --> 00:35:42,806 Jason: First time you know about it is when you hit the roof. 449 00:35:43,942 --> 00:35:47,144 Narrator: A low passage, just 30 inches high, 450 00:35:47,246 --> 00:35:49,880 Little room for error. 451 00:35:50,415 --> 00:35:52,999 Chris: My back would be against the cave roof and my 452 00:35:53,101 --> 00:35:55,936 Chest would be against the floor of the cave. 453 00:35:56,805 --> 00:35:59,372 Narrator: The dive line was difficult to follow as it 454 00:35:59,474 --> 00:36:02,542 Meandered between the cave walls. 455 00:36:03,712 --> 00:36:05,946 Chris: I was often bouncing off the rock and having to 456 00:36:06,048 --> 00:36:10,133 Kind of back up and try and go forward again into different spaces. 457 00:36:11,303 --> 00:36:14,471 Narrator: One after the other the divers felt their way 458 00:36:14,573 --> 00:36:18,074 Through the sumps carrying their precious cargo. 459 00:36:20,445 --> 00:36:23,847 Chris: We might knock the mask off so we were trying to go 460 00:36:23,949 --> 00:36:27,901 Through these small spaces quite carefully, taking our time 461 00:36:29,238 --> 00:36:32,605 Whilst holding onto the dive line in one hand 462 00:36:32,674 --> 00:36:35,775 And holding onto the child in the other hand. 463 00:36:38,914 --> 00:36:42,015 Narrator: But the sedatives were beginning to wear off. 464 00:36:42,734 --> 00:36:46,870 Making an already difficult situation, life-threatening. 465 00:36:48,207 --> 00:36:51,841 Jason: You'd be diving along underwater and you could feel the hands twitching. 466 00:36:53,061 --> 00:36:57,514 Narrator: Revealed accurately; the scene of one perilous incident. 467 00:36:59,067 --> 00:37:02,402 Between dives, jason was able to surface, 468 00:37:02,504 --> 00:37:05,805 But he was still chest deep in water. 469 00:37:06,375 --> 00:37:09,075 Jason: I was in a deep canal; I was on my own and there was 470 00:37:09,177 --> 00:37:11,478 No dry place to put the boy and I needed to inject the 471 00:37:11,580 --> 00:37:14,281 Sedative into his thigh. 472 00:37:14,950 --> 00:37:19,869 Narrator: Ahead of them, the second sump, another 1,000 feet underwater, 473 00:37:19,972 --> 00:37:23,940 Jason had no option but to inject the sedative 474 00:37:24,042 --> 00:37:26,676 Right where he was. 475 00:37:27,079 --> 00:37:29,813 Jason: I was trying to undo the dry bag with two hands but 476 00:37:29,915 --> 00:37:32,182 Keep control of the child as well. 477 00:37:32,251 --> 00:37:34,234 It was quite hard to hold him I had to sort of pin him 478 00:37:34,336 --> 00:37:37,203 Against the wall with my leg, try and get all the syringes 479 00:37:37,306 --> 00:37:39,873 Out of the bag, they all started floating around in the 480 00:37:39,975 --> 00:37:42,809 Water and I'm trying to get the, the syringes. 481 00:37:42,911 --> 00:37:44,477 I was quite nervous obviously, 482 00:37:44,579 --> 00:37:47,614 And I managed to bring his leg up, 483 00:37:48,717 --> 00:37:50,834 Put the sedative into his leg. 484 00:37:59,211 --> 00:38:03,747 Martyn: The whole thing is really fraught with mental strain. 485 00:38:04,683 --> 00:38:07,067 Jason: High stress, that's for sure. 486 00:38:07,536 --> 00:38:09,869 Narrator: After two grueling hours, 487 00:38:09,972 --> 00:38:12,672 Rescuers and boys had traveled through four sumps 488 00:38:12,774 --> 00:38:15,475 Along a mile of cave. 489 00:38:15,577 --> 00:38:17,944 But it wasn't over. 490 00:38:18,046 --> 00:38:24,067 Ahead lay a dive in the final sump and the tightest squeeze of them all. 491 00:38:32,577 --> 00:38:35,178 Narrator: Following the dive line the survey team locates 492 00:38:35,280 --> 00:38:38,048 Tham luang's worst pinch point. 493 00:38:38,350 --> 00:38:39,599 Roo: Look at this constriction. 494 00:38:39,701 --> 00:38:41,034 Man: Doesn't look very nice. 495 00:38:41,136 --> 00:38:43,103 Roo: Gosh that's small. 496 00:38:44,139 --> 00:38:48,274 Narrator: How would a diver and a child fit through here? 497 00:38:53,749 --> 00:38:56,900 The 3d data exposes the problem, 498 00:38:57,002 --> 00:39:00,437 Over 100 feet into the final sump. 499 00:39:02,874 --> 00:39:06,876 The dive line goes through a curtain of stalactites. 500 00:39:08,313 --> 00:39:12,665 A gap just 20 inches wide at its narrowest point. 501 00:39:14,369 --> 00:39:16,403 Jason: You couldn't fit through the stalactites. 502 00:39:16,505 --> 00:39:19,806 It's certainly the most difficult part of the cave to navigate. 503 00:39:21,443 --> 00:39:25,512 Narrator: But the data reveals something the divers couldn't see. 504 00:39:26,415 --> 00:39:30,967 Below the dive line, a wider passage, 6 feet deep. 505 00:39:32,270 --> 00:39:36,606 But making use of this space, by feeling a way through, 506 00:39:36,708 --> 00:39:38,775 Was risky. 507 00:39:39,378 --> 00:39:41,578 Chris: You have to back out, pull the line and find the 508 00:39:41,680 --> 00:39:43,780 Biggest space that you could work your way round. 509 00:39:43,882 --> 00:39:45,765 Jason: We had to pull the line down, 510 00:39:45,867 --> 00:39:48,034 Stretch it down and go under the stalactites. 511 00:39:48,136 --> 00:39:51,071 Narrator: By pulling down on the dive line the divers could 512 00:39:51,173 --> 00:39:53,640 Swim beneath the pinch point. 513 00:39:53,742 --> 00:39:58,511 But the extra tension on the line made it harder to hold on to. 514 00:40:00,182 --> 00:40:02,248 Jason: There was always potential for it to slip 515 00:40:02,350 --> 00:40:05,735 Through your fingers and then spring up into the roof. 516 00:40:06,738 --> 00:40:08,838 Narrator: Slowly and carefully, 517 00:40:08,940 --> 00:40:12,075 The divers made it through without losing the line, 518 00:40:12,177 --> 00:40:14,577 This time. 519 00:40:19,184 --> 00:40:22,368 By late afternoon jason had been caving and diving 520 00:40:22,471 --> 00:40:24,838 For five hours. 521 00:40:27,142 --> 00:40:31,744 Awaiting them in chamber 3, the international rescue team. 522 00:40:34,015 --> 00:40:36,099 Jason: You just knew that you were seconds away from 523 00:40:36,201 --> 00:40:39,402 Surfacing and being able to pass responsibility for that 524 00:40:39,504 --> 00:40:42,505 Boy's life on to somebody else. 525 00:40:44,342 --> 00:40:47,110 Josh: The cave line would start to get some tension on it, 526 00:40:47,212 --> 00:40:49,546 Like a fishing line and so the guys in chamber 3 527 00:40:49,648 --> 00:40:52,148 Would radio up 'fish on' because that meant a diver 528 00:40:52,250 --> 00:40:54,968 Was pulling on the line, coming toward them. 529 00:41:02,410 --> 00:41:07,213 Jason: I was very relieved to have got that first boy out alive. 530 00:41:08,717 --> 00:41:11,568 Narrator: Expert cavers and medics took over. 531 00:41:14,406 --> 00:41:17,507 They carried and hoisted note in a stretcher through the 532 00:41:17,609 --> 00:41:20,877 Final half mile of cave. 533 00:41:32,474 --> 00:41:36,743 The first four boys were out of tham luang cave. 534 00:41:36,845 --> 00:41:39,612 All alive. 535 00:41:39,714 --> 00:41:41,247 Reporter (over tv): Mission impossible has now become 536 00:41:41,349 --> 00:41:43,199 Mission incredible. 537 00:41:43,301 --> 00:41:44,767 Reporter (over tv): Well this is what all of those who've been 538 00:41:44,870 --> 00:41:47,670 Involved in this operation have been waiting to see, 539 00:41:47,772 --> 00:41:50,440 The boys are coming out. 540 00:41:51,443 --> 00:41:53,676 Chris: The buzz was amazing. 541 00:41:53,778 --> 00:41:56,646 It was quite incredible that we got the first four out 542 00:41:56,748 --> 00:41:58,181 We weren't sure we would. 543 00:41:58,283 --> 00:42:00,667 Vern: Emotions were running high, um, 544 00:42:00,835 --> 00:42:05,171 As you can probably tell, now, um, absolutely amazing. 545 00:42:13,315 --> 00:42:16,966 Narrator: Eight more children and the coach remained inside. 546 00:42:19,037 --> 00:42:22,839 A further energy-sapping 8 hours of diving and caving for 547 00:42:22,941 --> 00:42:26,075 Each rescuer, lay ahead. 548 00:42:26,745 --> 00:42:29,846 Chris: We needed to do it not once more, but twice more. 549 00:42:35,870 --> 00:42:39,205 Narrator: The divers headed back for a second group of boys. 550 00:42:39,441 --> 00:42:41,107 It was another success. 551 00:42:41,643 --> 00:42:44,043 Reporter (over tv): Four more boys emerging from that 552 00:42:44,145 --> 00:42:45,945 Cramped and flooded cave. 553 00:42:46,064 --> 00:42:48,881 Reporter (over tv): All are now in hospital in nearby chiang rai... 554 00:42:55,340 --> 00:42:59,175 Narrator: There were just four boys and the coach left to rescue. 555 00:42:59,911 --> 00:43:02,946 But the drama was far from over. 556 00:43:03,415 --> 00:43:06,366 Chris jewell was diving out with the 11th boy, 557 00:43:06,468 --> 00:43:09,469 13 year old sompong jaiwong. 558 00:43:10,639 --> 00:43:12,438 Josh: It's very easy to forget the 11th dive is 559 00:43:12,540 --> 00:43:15,108 As dangerous as the 1st dive. 560 00:43:15,210 --> 00:43:19,045 Narrator: Two hours in, chris entered the last sump. 561 00:43:19,147 --> 00:43:21,447 Chris: I had the last bit of diving to do. 562 00:43:21,549 --> 00:43:24,534 I thought I'd sussed it. 563 00:43:26,371 --> 00:43:31,507 Narrator: The 3d data reveals the dive line goes around a corner, 564 00:43:31,610 --> 00:43:34,877 Where it is pulled tight beneath a boulder. 565 00:43:37,248 --> 00:43:41,501 For chris, the tension on the line proved too much. 566 00:43:44,005 --> 00:43:45,505 Chris: Through the process of going round that corner I was 567 00:43:45,607 --> 00:43:48,675 Stretching the line with my hand and it just slipped out 568 00:43:48,777 --> 00:43:51,377 Of my fingers. 569 00:43:55,383 --> 00:43:58,034 When you lose the line in an underwater cave 570 00:43:58,136 --> 00:44:00,570 That's really bad news. 571 00:44:03,808 --> 00:44:07,310 I couldn't see which way to go. 572 00:44:09,914 --> 00:44:12,015 Narrator: Time was running out, 573 00:44:12,100 --> 00:44:14,400 Both chris and the sedated boy were using up 574 00:44:14,502 --> 00:44:17,570 Their limited air supply. 575 00:44:19,441 --> 00:44:23,142 Chris: I was sweeping with my arms, trying to pick up the line 576 00:44:25,313 --> 00:44:28,448 And I couldn't find the line. 577 00:44:31,102 --> 00:44:34,037 The most important thing is not to panic. 578 00:44:35,273 --> 00:44:38,508 Narrator: The data reveals that as chris felt for the line 579 00:44:38,610 --> 00:44:42,111 It lay just within arm's reach, 580 00:44:43,014 --> 00:44:45,415 But in zero visibility, 581 00:44:45,517 --> 00:44:48,301 Finding it was a matter of chance. 582 00:44:51,139 --> 00:44:55,208 After 4 long minutes, chris discovered not the line, 583 00:44:55,310 --> 00:44:57,777 But an electrical cable, 584 00:44:57,879 --> 00:45:00,947 Laid in the early days of the rescue. 585 00:45:02,016 --> 00:45:06,369 Instead of leading chris out, it led him all the way back, 586 00:45:06,471 --> 00:45:09,639 To the start of the sump. 587 00:45:10,208 --> 00:45:12,675 Chris: Thankfully I realized I was back somewhere that 588 00:45:12,777 --> 00:45:15,445 I was familiar with. 589 00:45:16,014 --> 00:45:18,648 Narrator: In the dry cave chris found the line and 590 00:45:18,750 --> 00:45:21,734 Continued his rescue. 591 00:45:26,741 --> 00:45:28,875 Against all the odds, 592 00:45:28,977 --> 00:45:32,145 The rescuers completed their mission. 593 00:45:34,516 --> 00:45:37,400 Itn: They are safe, they are out, they have done it! 594 00:45:37,736 --> 00:45:40,837 Reporter (over tv): They have been rescued from that flooded cave. 595 00:45:40,939 --> 00:45:44,273 Reporter (over tv): Millions of people are breathing easier tonight. 596 00:45:45,410 --> 00:45:48,377 Narrator: After an intense struggle with nature. 597 00:45:49,247 --> 00:45:52,482 The agonizing wait was over. 598 00:45:55,069 --> 00:45:58,938 Vern: Unreal, amazing, 13 out of 13, 599 00:45:59,040 --> 00:46:02,308 It's not an unlucky number anymore. 600 00:46:06,798 --> 00:46:09,565 Chris: Things that seem impossible aren't always so. 601 00:46:09,667 --> 00:46:12,969 Difficult things can be achieved and amazing things can happen. 602 00:46:13,538 --> 00:46:15,471 Pasakorn: None of us were doing this out of duty 603 00:46:15,573 --> 00:46:18,608 But out of a desire to save them. 604 00:46:18,710 --> 00:46:21,244 Roo: I remain in absolute awe of everybody that took part 605 00:46:21,346 --> 00:46:24,080 And the wonderful story that this is. 606 00:46:26,534 --> 00:46:29,769 Narrator: Three months later, on british tv, 607 00:46:29,871 --> 00:46:33,473 Divers chris and jason were reunited with the boys 608 00:46:33,575 --> 00:46:36,943 Whose lives they'd saved. 609 00:46:38,947 --> 00:46:40,746 Jason: I didn't know any of their names. 610 00:46:40,849 --> 00:46:44,534 I remembered them by numbers 1, 5, 9, and 13. 611 00:46:45,203 --> 00:46:50,473 (applause). 612 00:46:51,543 --> 00:46:53,810 I think they really wanted to connect with the people that 613 00:46:53,912 --> 00:46:55,678 Had brought them out so it was a really nice, 614 00:46:55,780 --> 00:46:57,513 Nice thing that. 615 00:46:57,615 --> 00:46:59,599 Translator: You are my heroes, 616 00:46:59,701 --> 00:47:03,603 Thank you very much from the bottom of our hearts. 617 00:47:03,705 --> 00:47:05,404 We love you. 618 00:47:05,507 --> 00:47:09,542 (applause). 619 00:47:18,670 --> 00:47:19,869 Captioned by cotter captioning services.