Australian Ex-Soldier Helps in Laos Cave Rescue

The article is written by Josh Brine.

It is from ABC South East SA.

The topic is Marine Incidents.

The article was published on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 6:33 am.

Josh Richards, a former astronaut candidate, is part of the Laos cave rescue team.

He is a soldier, comedian, and astronaut who is now helping in the cave rescue in Laos.

Josh Richards joined the rescue operation when seven people were still in the cave.

As a member of the Soggy Wombats cave diving team, Mr. Richards has discovered many new cave passages.

In 2022, he found a 400-meter cave passage in Mount Gambier's Engelbrecht Cave.

Josh Richards is known for fitting into tight spaces.

The Soggy Wombats found another cave extension in 2023, a 100-meter tunnel at Pines Cave.

Despite this, Mr. Richards is actually claustrophobic.

He said he loves cave exploration and forces himself to go through tight caves.

He doesn't feel claustrophobic underwater because he is weightless.

Josh Richards and Will Passos recently went cave exploring in Japan.

Will Passos has been friends with Mr. Richards since they took part in basic training in 2019.

The two had just returned to Australia after exploring caves in Japan.

Mr. Passos said Mr. Richards's small frame helps him fit into tight spots.

He also said Mr. Richards is very comfortable and competent on the water.

Josh Richards used to perform stand-up comedy internationally as a ukulele-playing koala.

He has had a life of adventure.

Mr. Richards's intergalactic ambitions made news before his caving exploits.

After studying physics and serving in the army, Mr. Richards became a comedian.

He performed internationally as a ukulele-playing koala before giving up comedy in 2016.

During that time, he applied for a one-way ticket to Mars as part of the Mars One project.

By 2021, he was one of the final 100 candidates out of 200,000 applicants.

Josh Richards used to live in Mount Gambier before moving to Adelaide.

Applying for the Mars project led Mr. Richards back to diving after years away.

He said he wanted to explore caves, learn about geology, and how caves connect to each other.

Divers from around the world are taking part in the Laos cave rescue.

The rescue in Laos is a different kind of adventure for Mr. Richards.

Mr. Passos said he wasn't surprised when Mr. Richards told him he was going to Laos.

He said the situation in Laos requires a skill set that Mr. Richards has.

Mr. Passos also said he wasn't surprised that Mr. Richards volunteered for the rescue.

The Limestone Coast in South Australia is a hub for the country's best scuba divers.

The region is known for its diving training grounds.

Mr. Richards is not the first Australian diver from the Limestone Coast to take part in a cave rescue.

In 2018, Richard Harris and Craig Challen helped rescue a boys' soccer team from a cave in Thailand.

The two were named Australian of the Year for their efforts.

Diving instructor Darren Mitchell owns a cave diving accommodation in Mount Gambier.

Mr. Mitchell said Australian divers have strong reputations internationally.

He said the nucleus of this reputation is in Mount Gambier.

Darren Mitchell runs diving tours at Ewens Ponds near Mount Gambier.

Mr. Mitchell said Mount Gambier is a hub for the best divers from around the world.

He said anyone who wants to be a good scuba diver must come to Mount Gambier.

It's rare for a high-level scuba diver not to want to come to Mount Gambier.

The city is a big drawcard for people who want to dive.

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The article was published on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 6:33 am.

The article was updated on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 9:43 am.

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