Retired Perth vet and cave rescue hero Craig Challen has been named as one of the nominees for WA’s Australian of the Year.

Mr Challen flew to Thailand to be part of the extraordinary three day rescue of 12 members of a Thai youth soccer team and their coach.

Mr Challen told Gareth Parker that on reflection “What we’re left with is a great deal of satisfaction. At the end of the day there are 13 mothers out there that have still got their sons that wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

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