Canadian diver who helped rescue trapped Thai football team in Chiang Rai cave dies at 44
BANGKOK, Oct 3 — Canadian diver Erik Brown, who helped rescue 12 young footballers trapped in Thailand’s Tha...
Canadian diver Erik Brown, a key figure in the 2018 rescue of 12 trapped Thai football players in the Tham Luang Nang Non cave complex, has died at the age of 44, according to family and friends who announced his death on September 26. Born in British Columbia, Brown established Hydronauts Diving Resort on the Thai island of Koh Tao, where he resided.
During the cave rescue, Brown was part of an international team of divers tasked with saving the Wild Boars football team, after they became trapped in the cave on June 23, 2018, due to heavy monsoon rain flooding the cave and cutting off their exit path. All 13 individuals, including the coach, were found alive nine days later, with the rescue operation taking place over a three-day period from July 8 to 10.
Brown is credited with helping transport air cylinders and other equipment through the flooded cave, as well as laying and maintaining guide ropes. His efforts, documented for 63 hours across nine days and seven missions, earned him Canada's Medal of Bravery and Thailand's Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn, First Class.
The news of Brown's passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from social media users who recall his kindness, sense of humor, and unwavering commitment to saving the trapped footballers.
Written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
