Duangpetch Promthep.Photo: Sakchai Lalit/AP/Shutterstock
One of the 12 boys dramaticallyrescued from a Thai cave in 2018has died in the U.K.
Duangpetch Promthep, 17, wasfound unconscious in his dormitoryin Leicestershire, England on Sunday, the BBC reported Wednesday. He was taken to hospital, where he later died.
Various reports in Thailand say Promthep, who the BBC said had attended a soccer academy in Leicestershire since late last year, suffered a head injury.
Promthep — known as “Dom” — was captain of the Thai boys' soccer team which wastrapped inside a cave for over two weekswhile exploring the Tham Luang cave complex in northern Thailand on June 23, when heavy rains and rising floodwaters blocked their escape.
In a statement released to PEOPLE,Leicestershire Policeconfirmed they are not treating the boy’s death as suspicious.
Wild Boars soccer team after their rescue.Pannawat Muangmoon/ABC/Getty
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The Thai government’s public relations arm said on Facebook that Phromthep died due to an accident, per CNN. “The atmosphere at his house in Chiang Rai province wasfull of sorrow,” PR Thailand’s statement read, the outlet added.
2018 Thai cave rescue.ARMY HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
Promthep, who turned 13 whilst he was trapped in the cave with his Wild Boars teammates, announced on Instagram in August 2022 that he had won a scholarship to join the Brooke House College Football Academy in Market Harborough, reported theBBC. “Today my dream has come true,” he wrote.
2018 Thai cave rescue.Uncredited/AP/REX/Shutterstock
Prachak Sutham, who was one of the boys rescued with Promthep, also paid tribute to him on social media, per the BBC.
“You told me to wait and see you play for the national team, I always believe that you would do it,” he wrote. “When we met the last time before you left for England, I even jokingly told you that when you come back, I would have to ask for your autograph. Sleep well, my dear friend. We will always have 13 of us together.”
source: people.com
