Arnold Dix
Arnold Dix | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Australian |
| Alma mater | Monash University |
| Occupation | Barrister
Professor of Engineering Scientist |
| Organization(s) | International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association |
| Awards | Alan Neyland Tunnelling Society award for tunnel fire safety excellence Committee Service Award by the National Fire Protection Association of the United States of America |
| Website | https://arnolddix.com/ |
Arnold Dix is an Australian professor, underground expert, the president of the International Tunneling and Underground Space Association.[1] He lives in Monbulk, Australia.[2]
Dix played a leading role in the Uttarkashi rescue, where 41 workers were trapped nearly 200 feet below the surface[1]
Early life
[change | change source]Dix is a engineering professor, scientist, and barrister.[3] His father who was a salesman for used cars emigrated from New Zealand while his mother was a graduate of Melbourne’s Emily McPherson College of Domestic Economy. Eventually, his parents became publicans, causing them to move a lot between Melbourne, Benalla and Jindabyne.[4] He graduated from Melbourne's Monash University with a degree in science and law.[5]
Career
[change | change source]Dix is a registered barrister at the High Court of Australia and is also a senior counsel at the White & Case legal firm.[6] He also a visiting professor of Engineering at the Tokyo City University.[7]
He is also an underground work expert. His interest in this field was inspired during the September 11 attacks, after Dix went to New York with a client to investigate the underground networks of the World Trade Centre.[8]
Dix has also been involved in investigation of tower block fires and recommending solutions. Between 2009 to 2010, Dix served as an independent as an independent investigator of the Lakanal House Tower Block Fire, which killed six people. He also investigated the Grenfell Tower fire which caused at least 80 deaths. He pointed out weak fire assessment systems in the United Kingdom as a contributor to these fires.[9]
In 2019, Dix volunteered with the Qatar Red Crescent, developing response swiftness for underground accidents.[2]
In 2020, Dix together with Lord Robert Mair and Peter Vickery QC founded [10]Underground Works Chambers.
Dix is the president of the Geneva-based International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association.[2][11][12]
Uttarakhand tunnel rescue
[change | change source]On November 20 2023 Dix was called on by the Government of India, to be lead the team that rescued 41 workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand, India.[2]
He worked together with other agencies including ONGC, SJVNL, RVNL, NHIDCL, and THDCL. [13] He promised that he would safely evacuate all 41 workers before Christmas, which the team managed to do.[10] He was in charge of inspecting the collapsed tunnel, coordinated agencies and gave technical solutions to enable the rescue.[2]
Dix suggested the use of the soft mining techniques. This method would reduce disturbances to the mountain and cause another avalanche which would put the trapped workers at risk. The rescuers had previously been using large drilling machines, which were causing vibrations to the mountain. These machines also broke down from hitting metal obstacles in the collapsed tunnel, resulting to the rescue operation being halted.[14] They used a thin pipe to carry the trapped workers 10 centimeters at a time, which prevented further disturbance.[15] While Dix's approach was slower it was much safer[16]
Throughout the rescue operation, Dix showed a display of faith which garnered the attention of the public. During the operation he set up a makeshift temple and after the workers were rescued, he offered his prayers to the temple of local deity Baba Bokh Naag ji . He said that the rescue was a miracle and promised the locals to go to the temple once the workers were rescued.[17]
In 2023, Dix proved to be a hero during the Uttarakhand tunnel rescue.[18][19][20][21] He received recognition from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for his work during the rescue operations.[22]
Awards and Honors
[change | change source]- Alan Neyland Australasian Tunnelling Society bi-annual award (2011)[23]
- NFPA -Distinguished Committee Service Award (2022)[24]
- Keynote speaker at Bulk Tanker Day
Personal Life
[change | change source]Dix is married to Divina Dix and share a stepchild together. He also has three children from the last marriage[25]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Who is Arnold Dix, underground expert roped in for Uttarkashi tunnel rescue?". Hindustan Times. 2023-11-24. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Meet Arnold Dix, the international expert who helped rescue 41 workers trapped in Uttarkashi tunnel". The Economic Times. 2023-11-30. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
- ↑ "Meet Professor Arnold Dix, the Australian expert who turned savior in Uttarkashi tunnel rescue operation". Business Today. 2023-11-29. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
- ↑ Crowe, Alex. "From Victoria's troublemaker to India's hero". THE AGE. THE AGE. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ↑ "India thanks Arnold Dix | The man behind successful rescue operations at Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse | News - Times of India Videos". The Times of India. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
- ↑ "Engineer, geologist, lawyer: The many hats worn by Arnold Dix, the man behind the miraculous Uttarkashi rescue". The Economic Times. 2023-11-30. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
- ↑ Bureau, The Hindu (2023-11-23). "Australia proud of professor assisting Silkyara rescue efforts: envoy". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ↑ "Arnold Dix was pivotal in rescuing 41 men from an underground tomb. But he didn't charge a cent for his work". ABC News. 2024-04-13. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
- ↑ "London fire: Fire safety risk inspections pointless, says expert". 2017-06-27. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "How tunneling expert Arnold Dix played a crucial role in the successful rescue operation in Uttarkashi". The Times of India. 2023-11-29. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
- ↑ "Meet Arnold Dix, tunnelling expert India thanks for Uttarkashi rescue". India Today. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
- ↑ "Arnold Dix (ITA-AITES): tunnel safety". We Build Value. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
- ↑ "Meet Arnold Dix, Aus expert roped in for Uttarkashi tunnel rescue". Firstpost. 2023-11-24. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
- ↑ "Digging to rescue 41 workers trapped in a collapsed tunnel in India halted after machine breaks". AP News. 2023-11-25. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
- ↑ Bureau, The Hindu (2023-11-23). "Australia proud of professor assisting Silkyara rescue efforts: envoy". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ↑ ""Advised Rat-Hole Mining After...": Tunnelling Expert Details Rescue Op". NDTV.com. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
- ↑ Hindustan Times (27 November 2023). "Hindustan Times". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ↑ "Meet Professor Arnold Dix, the Australian expert who turned savior in Uttarkashi tunnel rescue operation". Business Today. 2023-11-29. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
- ↑ "International Tunnelling expert Arnold Dix arrives at Uttarkashi tunnel collapse site, says 'We are going to get them out'". The Times of India. 2023-11-20. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
- ↑ "Uttarkashi tunnel rescue operation: 'We can get through', says Mirco Tunnelling expert Chris Cooper ahead of manual drilling | TOI Original – Times of India Videos". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 27 November 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-28.
- ↑ "Meet Arnold Dix, tunnelling expert India thanks for Uttarkashi rescue". India Today. Archived from the original on 28 November 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-28.
- ↑ "India thanks Arnold Dix | The man behind successful rescue operations at Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse | News - Times of India Videos". The Times of India. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
- ↑ Mukhopadhyay, Sounak (2023-11-20). "Who is Arnold Dix, the expert in charge of Uttarkashi tunnel collapse rescue?". mint. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
- ↑ "Who Is Arnold Dix, Australian Tunnel Expert Leading Renewed Rescue Effort In Uttarkashi's Silkyara". English Jagran. 2023-11-21. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
- ↑ Crowe, Alex (2024-01-26). "From Victoria's troublemaker to India's hero". The Age. Retrieved 2024-08-26.