Saman Kunan, 38, is the former Thai navy SEAL who died from a lack of oxygen while working to save boys trapped in a cave, the BBC reported.
SEAL commander Arpakorn Yookongkaew told a news conference Friday morning that the rescuer was working in a volunteer capacity and died during an overnight mission in which he was placing oxygen canisters.
Thai authorities are racing to pump out water from a flooded cave where 12 boys and their soccer coach have been trapped since June 23.
• The Associated Press contributed to this report.
• Jay LeBlanc can be reached at jleblanc@washingtontimes.com.
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