Canadian diver who helped rescue Wild Boars dies at 44

Canadian diver Erik Brown, a key figure in the rescue of the Wild Boars football team from Thailand's Tham Luang cave in 2018, has passed away at the age of 44. Brown's passing was confirmed by his friends and family on September 26th. The cause of his death remains unconfirmed. Brown, originally from British Columbia, had established Hydronauts Diving on Koh Tao, Surat Thani.

Brown joined the international rescue team after heavy monsoon rains trapped the 12 young footballers and their coach inside the Tham Luang Nang Non cave complex in Chiang Rai. The floodwaters quickly rose, blocking their exit. British divers eventually located the group nine days later, marking the start of a multinational rescue operation.

Brown played a crucial role in this mission by carrying air cylinders and equipment through flooded passages, setting and maintaining guide ropes, and assisting divers as they worked to bring the group to safety.

Brown's dedication to the rescue effort was recognized worldwide. In Canada, he was awarded the Medal of Bravery in 2019 for repeatedly risking his life while navigating the cave's flooded passages, overcoming strong currents, narrow sections, and other obstacles to ensure a vital route for the rescue. Thailand honored Brown with The Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn, First Class, from His Majesty the King of Thailand for his significant contribution to the rescue operation.