Navy SEAL who took part in Thai cave rescue dies of infection
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 has died from an infection he contracted during the operation 17 months ago.
Petty Officer Beiret Bureerak had been receiving treatment for a blood infection, but his condition worsened and he succumbed to the infection, the Royal Thai Navy said in a statement on Friday.
They hailed the navy SEAL as a hero for the role he played in the rescue effort.
Beiret Bureerak, a Thai navy SEAL who took part in the cave rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach, has died from an infection he picked up at the time. Facebook/Royal Thai Navy
Thai rescue teams walk inside cave complex where 12 boys and their soccer coach went missing in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai province. (Thai Navy via AP) AP/AAP
On 23 June 2018, Wild Boars Academy's coach Ekapol Chanthawong and 12 boys had gone to explore the Tham Luang caves in Chiang Rai province 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.
However former navy diver Sergeant Saman Kuman, died during the rescue operation while he was placing oxygen canisters.
Former Sergerant Saman Kunan was an experienced diver and former Navy SEAL. Supplied
He was attempting to return to a command centre, located two kilometres inside the cave, when he ran out of oxygen.
Almost 20 Australians worked on the rescue mission, including Doctor Craig Challen of Western Australia and Doctor Richard Harris of South Australia.
The pair of doctors were vital in the boys' rescue and were announced as dual Australians of the Year in January.
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