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Ex-soldier, comedian and aspiring Martian is the Aussie face of Laos cave rescue

ABC Australia · Jun 1, 2026, 8:33 PM · Also reported by 4 other sources

Key takeaways

  • Former prospective astronaut Josh Richards is the only Australian in the Laos cave rescue team.
  • South Australian Josh Richards was called into the rescue operation late last week, when seven people were still in the cave.
  • A member of the Soggy Wombats cave diving team, Mr Richards has played a key role in discovering extensions to multiple caves on SA's Limestone Coast.

Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.

Former prospective astronaut Josh Richards is the only Australian in the Laos cave rescue team. (Supplied: Josh Richards)

Link copied Share Share article. A soldier turned comedian turned prospective astronaut is the Australian face in a team hoping to find two people still missing in a cave in Laos.

South Australian Josh Richards was called into the rescue operation late last week, when seven people were still in the cave.

Article preview — originally published by ABC Australia. Full story at the source.
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