A member of the Thai Navy SEALS who was involved in the rescue of 12 schoolboys from a cave in 2018 has died from a blood infection he is reported to have contracted while on the mission.
Petty Officer Beiret Bureerak was receiving treatment for the condition but sadly passed away, the Royal Thai Navy has said.
The daring rescue operation was launched after 12 schoolboys and their football coach became stranded in a flooded cave in Thailand on June 23, 2018.
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Thanks to the hard-work from rescuers, including from the Thai Royal Navy, all 12 of the boys and their coach were saved.
However, tragically, Sergeant Saman Kuman - a former navy diver - died during the operation.
The Wild Boars Academy spent 18 days inside the cave, surviving by drinking water dripping from the rocks, before they were eventually rescued.
Amongst those who took part in the rescue mission was British diver John Volanthen, from Bristol, UK. He was recently awarded the George Medal from the Queen for his efforts.
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Evening Standard, he said: "We were part of a much wider team, so while some of us have been individually recognised, it is the whole team who needs to take the credit.
"We were part of a much greater team, which was international. The credit needs to be spread around a little bit more I think."
He went on to praise his fellow rescuers, but also, humbly, shot down claims of bravery.
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He added: "What we do is very calm and calculated and it is quite the opposite of brave - it really is. We take one step forwards and it is about being sensible and careful - really that is how we were successful."
Featured Image Credit: PA