Canadian diver Erik Brown, who helped rescue 12 young footballers and their coach from Thailand’s Tham Luang cave in 2018, has died aged 44.
Brown’s death was announced by friends and family on 26 September. His cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
Originally from British Columbia, Brown was based on Koh Tao, Surat Thani, where he founded Hydronauts Diving.
He joined the international team of divers involved in the rescue of the Wild Boars football team after the 12 boys and their coach became trapped inside the Tham Luang Nang Non cave complex in Chiang Rai on 23 June 2018.
Heavy monsoon rain caused floodwaters to rise inside the cave, cutting off the group’s way out. British divers found all 13 alive nine days later, prompting a multinational rescue operation.
Brown supported the diving operation by carrying air cylinders and other equipment through flooded passages, laying and maintaining guide ropes and assisting the team of divers working to bring the group out.
He later recorded spending 63 hours inside the cave over nine days and seven missions.
The rescue was carried out over three days from 8 to 10 July, with all 13 members of the team brought safely out of the cave.
Brown’s contribution was later recognised by Canada, which awarded him the Medal of Bravery in 2019.
Canada’s Governor General said Brown repeatedly risked his life while travelling through about three kilometres of flooded cave passages, navigating strong currents, narrow sections and other obstacles to maintain a vital route for the rescue.
In Thailand, Brown was also awarded The Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn, First Class, by His Majesty the King of Thailand for his contribution to the rescue operation.
