Thai Navy SEAL dies from blood infection contracted during cave rescue

A Thai Navy Seal has reportedly died from an infection he contracted while rescuing a group of boys who were stuck in a flooded cave last year. 

Petty Officer Beirut Pakbara has died, the Royal Thai Navy said in a statement, according to CNN.

Pakbara reportedly got a blood infection during the rescue mission that saved 12 boys and their soccer coach. The news network reported that he had received medical treatment over the past year but that his condition worsened. 

“Mourning Sergeant Major Beirut Pakbara, the hero of the cave who passed away,” the statement said, according to CNN. “The Royal Thai Navy would like to express our deepest condolences to Beirut’s family.”

The players and coach of the Wild Boars youth soccer team became trapped after entering the Tham Luang cave network last June. They were rescued by divers that July, but one former Thai Navy SEAL died during the rescue mission.