Eric Brown, the diver who took part in rescuing 12 children in Thailand, dies at 44

Eric Brown, the Canadian diver and one of the international specialists involved in rescuing 12 boys and their coach from Thailand’s flooded Tham Luang cave in 2018, has died at the age of 44.

News of his death was announced on September 25 and confirmed by sources in the international technical-diving community, according to Daily Mail. So far, the causes or circumstances of his death have not been made public.

Brown lived on Koh Tao in Thailand and was part of an international group of experienced divers involved in helping with the extraordinary operation in Tham Luang cave.

The incident began in June 2018, when 12 young footballers from the “Wild Boars” team, aged between 11 and 16, became trapped inside the cave along with their 25-year-old coach. Heavy rainfall had caused water levels to rise, making it impossible for them to leave the cave.

Teams from several countries around the world were mobilized to rescue them. Brown was among the divers who contributed to the mission, which ended successfully and enabled all the children and their coach to be brought out of the cave system.

His death prompted numerous reactions in the international diving community. Friends, former students and colleagues published tributes to him and his contribution.

Eric Brown had established a diving school on Koh Tao and remained active in technical diving and cave exploration.

The first reports of his death were published without prior notification from his family or company. As a result, the exact time, place and circumstances of his death remain unknown.

The mission at Tham Luang, in which Brown also took part, is considered one of the best-known international cave-rescue operations. The children from the football team were gradually brought out of the flooded cave system.