Hero Thai cave rescuer has to be saved after getting washed away in flood
- 6 years ago
This is the astonishing moment a hero cave diver had to be rescued himself after taking a wrong turn and being washed away in a flood.
Danish man Claus Rasmussen, 45, who took part in the cave rescue of 13 trapped youngsters last month, and Singaporean Seetoh Yiyu, 37, were driving to Phuket in the south of Thailand when their car's GPS went haywire.
The pair got lost down a remote country road in Thung Yai district, Nakhon Si Thammarat, before a flash flood swept them into a canal.
Both men had to climb onto the roof of the white pick-up truck which was seen floating downstream in the fast-flowing water. They were stranded on the roof for several hours as they waited desperately for help to arrive.
Rescue workers arrived and hauled the men to safety in a boat before using a rope to drag their stricken vehicle to safety just after nightfall at around 8pm.
Claus, who helped British divers during the cave rescue of the young football team, told officials that he had been giving a scuba diving teaching course in the area before heading home.
He said: ''We took a different route because of the rain and bypassed one flooded road. Then we were hit by the water. I'm thankful to all the people who saved us.''
Lieutenant Sutham Jimkwan from Thung Yai Police Station said more than 100 rescuers, soldiers and local residents were involved in rescuing the men.
Danish man Claus Rasmussen, 45, who took part in the cave rescue of 13 trapped youngsters last month, and Singaporean Seetoh Yiyu, 37, were driving to Phuket in the south of Thailand when their car's GPS went haywire.
The pair got lost down a remote country road in Thung Yai district, Nakhon Si Thammarat, before a flash flood swept them into a canal.
Both men had to climb onto the roof of the white pick-up truck which was seen floating downstream in the fast-flowing water. They were stranded on the roof for several hours as they waited desperately for help to arrive.
Rescue workers arrived and hauled the men to safety in a boat before using a rope to drag their stricken vehicle to safety just after nightfall at around 8pm.
Claus, who helped British divers during the cave rescue of the young football team, told officials that he had been giving a scuba diving teaching course in the area before heading home.
He said: ''We took a different route because of the rain and bypassed one flooded road. Then we were hit by the water. I'm thankful to all the people who saved us.''
Lieutenant Sutham Jimkwan from Thung Yai Police Station said more than 100 rescuers, soldiers and local residents were involved in rescuing the men.