Thai Navy SEAL who took part in cave rescue dies after year-long infection

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.

Petty Officer Beiret Bureerak was receiving treatment for the condition but died in hospital, the Royal Thai Navy has announced. Source: Facebook

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.

"With an infection during the mission, search for the rescue of the boar team at tham luang khun nam nang sleep," the navy announced via facebook.

The "Wild Boars" Thai soccer team marking a year since they were rescued from the cave. Source: AAP

"After that, it has been treated and under the supervision of the doctor closely. the symptom has collapsed and died from the blood infection in the bloodstream."

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.

The boys and their coach inside the twisting, water-logged caverns. Source: AAP

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.