As the world celebrates the miraculous rescue of all 12 boys and their soccer coach from a Thai cave, tributes are flowing in for the man who gave his life for their cause.

Former Thai Navy SEAL Saman Gunan died, who was volunteering to help the rescue effort, died after running our of oxygen while working to position air tanks along the exit route.

Now the ordeal is over for the 13 trapped in the cave, Mr Gunan is being remembered by his family and people around the world as a hero.

The 38-year-old set out on Thursday night last week to deliver three oxygen tanks.

He completed his task, but lost consciousness on the return trip. His diving partner performed CPR but was unable to revive him.

Mr Gunan was one of about 80 Thai Navy SEALs, who made up the bulk of the divers involved in the rescue effort.

“We won’t let the life lost be wasted,” SEAL commander Arpakorn Yookongkaew said.

‘I use pride to repress my sadness’

Mr Gunan’s widow, Waleeporn, told the BBC, “It’s like I’ve died but I’m still alive. 

“But I use pride to repress my sadness,” she added.

Mrs Gunan said her husband was being praised as a hero because of who he was.

“He loved helping others, doing charity work and getting things done,” she said.

She spoke about the strength of their relationship, saying they would tell each other they loved each other before he left for work each day.

“At midday, we’d text to see if the other had had lunch. In the evening, when he got home, I would ask him how he was,” Mrs Gunan said.

“Saman once said we never knew when we would die. We can’t control that, so we need to cherish every day,” she said.

Mrs Gunan had these final words for her husband:

“I want to tell you honey, you are the hero in my heart. You always were and you always will be.”

Mr Gunan’s father Wichai Gunan told the BBC he was “very proud” of his son.

“But I am very sad too because I lost my beloved son,” he told the BBC.

“May you rest in peace. Rest well. Daddy loves you.”

Tributes flow in Thailand

เห็นภาพนี้แล้วจะร้อง 😭 ขอบคุณจ่าแซมที่เสียสละเพื่อน้องๆ ขอให้น้องๆโตมาเป็นเยาวชนที่ดี เป็นนักฟุตบอลระดับปท. คิดซะว่าการออกจากถ้ำคือการเกิดใหม่ เริ่มต้นชีวิตใหม่ คลอดด้วยกำลังใจและความช่วยเหลือจากคนทั่วโลก จงใช้ชีวิตให้มีคุณค่านะ ❤️…ขอบคุณเจ้าของภาพ #Hooyah #ทักมาทวงเครดิตได้ pic.twitter.com/N9XNG4aAwm

— ชัชเอง ชัชไง (@chchy_y) July 10, 2018

While there is promising news from #Thailand cave rescue mission, I hope everyone takes pause to honor the former Thai Navy SEAL Saman Gunan. He volunteered to help the soccer team, and died underwater delivering oxygen canisters so the boys and their coach could breathe. #Hero pic.twitter.com/JkFL33fQYc

— Annie Yu (@AnnieYuTV) July 8, 2018

#ThaiCaveRescue Time to show our kids the real #heroes – Late Saman Gunan, Thai Navy Seal Divers, British Cave Divers John Volanthen , Rick Stanton, Robert Herper, Australian Dr Richar Harris, Thai Rice Farmers.
Time to ignore media savy politicians, movie stars, sportsperson pic.twitter.com/xwW8Tf23nr

— Christopher Wakare V (@chriswakare) July 8, 2018

-With agencies