Josh Richards on the Laos Cave Rescue
Most adventures start with a plan. This one started with a Facebook message.
In May 2026, reports emerged from north-eastern Laos that a group of villagers were trapped in
a remote mine by unexpected flooding. Within days cave divers and rescue specialists from all
over the world had converged on the jungle near Long Tieng to search for the survivors. For Josh
Richards, it all started with a message asking “How busy are you the next few days?” It turned
into a story of uncertainty, desperation, despair, perseverance, and courage.
In this presentation, Josh gave audiences an inside look at how an international cave rescue
unfolds. From last-minute packing and sleeping behind vending machines, to scraping through
flooded tunnels, being asked to do terrifying things with a soup spoon, and sharing emotional
moments never meant for the news, Josh took the audience inside the real story behind the
Laos cave rescue.
The 2026 Sea Star Awards were also presented to Tony Bramley, Whyalla Commercial Diving Services and Dr. Brad Martin, OzFish.