On Thai rescue mission, ex-navy diver dies as oxygen level dips

Chiang Rai (Thailand), July 6

A former Thai navy diver died working to save 12 boys and their soccer coach trapped inside a flooded cave, highlighting the risks for rescue teams trying to find a safe way to bring the group out after 13 days underground.

Dwindling oxygen level in the cave and weather forecasts predicting heavy rain added to the pressure to work out a rescue plan. Samarn Poonan, 38, a former member of Thailand’s elite navy SEAL unit, died on Thursday night as he worked underwater in the cave complex, laying oxygen tanks along a potential exit route, the SEAL commander said.

“We won’t let his life go in vain. We will carry on,” Admiral Arpakorn Yuukongkaew said. Samarn was working with a partner placing oxygen tanks in a section of the cave. As they returned, Samarn fell unconscious about 1.5 km from the cave entrance. PM Prayuth Chan-ocha expressed his condolences over Samarn’s death but it would not deter the rescue teams, a spokesman said. — Reuters

Options on mind

• Teaching the boys to dive and then swim out
• Remaining in cave until wet season ends in 4 months
• Drilling a shaft into cave from the forest above