Diver Vernon Unsworth was instrumental in the rescue, and he said that Musk’s attempt to build a small submarine for the rescue effort was a “PR stunt” that had no chance of working. Musk soon promised to prove Unsworth wrong—and lobbed a baseless charge of pedophilia at the rescuer.
In a series of tweets yesterday, Musk initially challenged Unsworth to “show [the] final rescue video” before writing, “You know what, don’t bother showing the video. We will make one of the mini-sub/pod going all the way to Cave 5 no problemo. Sorry pedo guy, you really did ask for it.”
Thai Cave Rescue: British diver Vern Unsworth has told 7 News’ @MyleeHogan that he’s considering legal action after being referred to as ‘pedo guy’ by @elonmusk. “It’s not finished…I believe he’s called me a ‘paedophile’…I think people realise what sort of guy he is.” #7News pic.twitter.com/jzVUAtraun
— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) July 16, 2018
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Unsworth said he would sue Musk if the pedophile accusation is “what I think it is,” according to AFP. At the time, Unsworth hadn’t yet read Musk’s tweets but had been told about them.
“The caver told AFP he would make a decision when he flies back to the UK this week, but said the episode with Musk ‘ain’t finished,'” the news agency reported.
“He’s just a PR stunt merchant—that’s all he is,” Unsworth added.
Divers completed the rescue of 12 boys last week while saying that Musk’s submarine was “not practical for this mission.” Unsworth’s knowledge of the cave system’s layout reportedly was crucial in the rescue.
