Boy Who Survived Flooded Thailand Cave Dies Suddenly in UK

Tragedy has struck one of the boys who captivated the world’s attention when they were rescued from a flooded cave in Thailand in 2018.

Duangphet “Dom” Phromthep, a 17-year-old survivor of the harrowing ordeal, has died in England where he was attending a sports academy. The Zico Foundation, which sponsored his studies, announced the heartbreaking news on Wednesday, revealing that he was found unconscious in his room and later passed away in a hospital. The Brooke House College Football Academy in Leicestershire, where he was a student, also confirmed the devastating loss.

The news has brought renewed attention to the remarkable rescue operation that captured the world’s imagination and highlights the lasting impact it had on the boys’ lives.

In a statement school principal Ian Smith said, “this event has left our college community deeply saddened and shaken.”

“We unite in grief with all of Dom’s family, friends, former teammates and those involved in all parts of his life, as well as everyone affected in any way by this loss in Thailand and throughout the college’s global family.”

During an online news conference held by the Zico Foundation, the organization’s leader and former Thai national team captain and coach, Kiatisuk Senamuang, expressed his shock and sorrow at the unexpected death of Duangphet “Dom” Phromthep, a student sponsored by the foundation. Senamuang admitted that he was not aware of the cause of Dom’s passing, and that the young man had been in good health prior to his sudden death.

After spending nine harrowing nights lost in the depths of a twisting cave complex, the boys trapped in Thailand’s Tham Luang cave were finally discovered by a diver, huddled together on a patch of dirt above the rising water line. The gripping moment was caught on camera and quickly broadcast to the world, drawing global attention to the unfolding rescue effort.

However, it would be another eight days before all twelve boys were finally brought to safety. The complex operation involved expert divers carefully guiding each boy out of the treacherous cave system on special stretchers, while keeping them anesthetized to prevent panic. To support the rescue, oxygen canisters were placed along the path through the dark, narrow, and winding passageways, which were filled with muddy water and strong currents, making the mission all the more challenging.

The story of the Tham Luang cave rescue remains a testament to human courage and perseverance, as well as a powerful reminder of the remarkable things that can be achieved when people come together to overcome even the most daunting challenges.

During the online news conference, Dom’s mother made an emotional plea, expressing her wish that a Buddhist monk in England could perform the appropriate rites to ensure that Dom’s spirit could be released in accordance with Buddhist customs. The hope was that these rituals would prevent his spirit from being trapped in the place where he died, which is a belief held in Buddhist tradition.