A caver from near Staylittle, who played a crucial role in a rescue to save 12 Thai boys from a flooded cave, has received a knighthood from Thailand.

Gary Mitchell, 46, was presented with a Royal Decoration of the Kingdom of Thailand by the Thai Ambassador His Excellence Mr. Pisanu Suvanajata at a ceremony held in the Royal Thai Embassy, London on February 3.

The British Cave Rescue Council assistant chair was part of an international team of 90 cavers who successfully rescued all 12 members of the Moo Pa Wild Boars football team and their coach after they became trapped deep inside the Tham Luag cave in northern Thailand in June 2018.

Mr Mitchell, a former pupil of Newtown High School, was rewarded the Royal Decoration of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn and received the appointment of ‘Knight Commander’ 2nd Class.

As well as receiving medals and decorations, Mr Mitchell was presented with a certificate signed by General (Ret.) Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand expressing his gratitude “for the selfless acts performed to help fellow human beings in danger”.

The rescuers were also presented with a letter signed by the King of Thailand Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Part of the letter said: “This circumstance has clearly shown the power of unity in action, power of love and goodwill towards fellow men regardless of race and religious beliefs.”

The dangerous rescue became a race against time to save the boys and their coach before heavy monsoon rains flooded the caves. One rescuer died in the operation.