(CNN) A Thai Navy SEAL has died from an infection he contracted during the daring rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave in Thailand last year.

The Thai Royal Navy confirmed the death of Petty Officer Beirut Pakbara in a statement Friday.

"Mourning Sergeant Major Beirut Pakbara, the hero of the cave who passed away. The Royal Thai Navy would like to express our deepest condolences to Beirut's family," the statement read.

Beirut contracted a blood infection during the rescue operation at Tham Luang cave in northern Thailand. He had been seeking medical treatment over the past year, but his condition worsened after the infection got into his bloodstream, according to Thai Royal Navy.

Petty Officer Beirut Pakbara was a member of the rescue team that saved 12 boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave in Thailand last year.

Twelve members of the Wild Boars youth soccer team and their coach entered the sprawling Tham Luang cave network on June 23 last year and were trapped when a downpour flooded the cave complex.