Hero Thai cave rescue diver dies

Source: News Corp Australia Network:

December 27, 2019 at 11:39

A Thai navy SEAL who helped save 12 boys and their soccer coach trapped in a cave has died of an infection he contracted during the rescue operation.

A Thai navy SEAL who took part in the dramatic rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave in northern Thailand last year has died from a blood infection he contracted during the operation.

Petty Officer Beiret Bureerak had been receiving treatment, but his condition worsened, the Royal Thai Navy said in a statement on Friday.

In this July 3, 2018, file image taken from video provided by the Thai Navy Seal, Thai boys are with Navy SEALs inside a cave in Mae Sai, northern Thailand. Pic: AP — In this July 3, 2018, file image taken from video provided by the Thai Navy Seal, Thai boys are with Navy SEALs inside a cave in Mae Sai, northern Thailand.
Pic: APSource:Supplied

Another rescuer, former navy diver Sergeant Saman Kuman, died during the rescue operation.

Wild Boars Academy’s coach Ekapol Chanthawong and 12 boys had gone to explore the Tham Luang caves in Chiang Rai province on June 23, 2018, when a rainy- season downpour flooded the cave system and trapped them underground.

They survived for nine days on water dripping from rocks before they were discovered.

Volunteers from abroad, including Australia, joined the rescue effort, which ended on July 10 when the boys and their coach were all brought out safely.