Navy SEAL in Thai cave rescue dies of year-long infection

Diver who helped save a teen football team from a flooded cave dies from a blood infection contracted during the mission.

Thai Navy divers in the Tham Luang cave during the rescue operation in Chiang Rai, Thailand Picture: Getty

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

The Wild Boars Academy football team had been exploring the Tham Luang caves when a downpour flooded the cave, leaving them trapped underground Picture: AP

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.

AAP