A BRIT hero diver once branded “pedo guy” by Elon Musk is battling severe pneumonia seven years after his daring rescue of 12 Thai schoolboys from a cave.
Vernon Unsworth, 70, was rushed to Mae Chan Hospital in Thailand after suddenly struggling to breathe.
Asia Pacific Press via ViralPressVernon Unsworth, a British diver, is battling severe pneumonia in a Thai hospital[/caption]
Asia Pacific Press via ViralPressHe has been granted ‘royal patronage patient’ status, covering his medical expenses[/caption]
The caving expert, who became a global name during the 2018 Tham Luang cave crisis, has been in a tough health battle since September 22.
Doctors placed him in intensive care and intubated him for several days while powerful antibiotics were pumped into his system.
His fever has now eased and his blood pressure is stable, but he remains on oxygen and under close watch.
Footage this week showed royal representatives, local officials and army officers filing into his ward with gifts.
They told Unsworth he had been granted “royal patronage patient” status.
It is a rare honour for a foreigner and one that means his medical bills will be covered by the King of Thailand.
Speaking weakly from his bed, hooked to IV lines, the Brit said: “They’re taking off the oxygen slowly. I’ve had an x-ray for my chest.
“The weather conditions have affected Thailand. The rain has not helped me.”
He was only able to talk for a few minutes before having to type out his words on his phone.
Unsworth’s Thai wife, Woranan Ratrawiphukkun, praised the outpouring of support.
She said: “Vernon was seriously ill but he is getting stronger.
“His Majesty the King has accepted Vernon as a patient under Royal Patronage.
“I want to thank you to all friends who have shown concern for his condition.”
Hospital staff said he is comfortable but still tires easily, with one nurse explaining: “Currently, his fever has begun to subside, and his blood pressure is stable.
“While lying in bed, he appears comfortable and not fatigued.
“However, walking to the bathroom or talking extensively can cause mild tiredness… He was admitted with a severe cough and respiratory distress, requiring ICU care and intubation.”
Asia Pacific Press via ViralPressOfficials paid a visit to the Brit hero in hospital[/caption]
Asia Pacific Press via ViralPressUnsworth was admitted on September 22 after struggling to breathe[/caption]
HERO DIVER
Unsworth’s health fight comes seven years after he helped mastermind one of the most extraordinary rescues in modern history.
In July 2018, heavy monsoon floods trapped the Wild Boars football team and their coach deep inside the Tham Luang cave.
Unsworth – a British expat long familiar with the cave’s treacherous passages – guided an elite international team, including Thai Navy SEALs and expert divers, to bring all 13 alive after two tense weeks underground.
But his heroism was later overshadowed by a bitter public clash with Tesla tycoon Elon Musk.
When Musk touted a “kid-sized submarine” for the rescue, Unsworth dismissed it as a publicity stunt that had “absolutely no chance of working” and told CNN the tech billionaire could “stick his submarine where it hurts”.
Dan Charity – The SunThis health battle occurs seven years after his heroic role in the Thai cave rescue[/caption]
Alamy Live NewsDivers plunged into the dark waters of the flooded cave in Thailand where 12 boys were trapped[/caption]
The boys pictured inside the chamber on July 3, 2018Reuters
Musk retaliated online, tweeting: “Sorry pedo guy, you really did ask for it.”
He later doubled down in an email to a reporter, calling the diver a “child rapist”.
The smear devastated Unsworth, who told Good Morning Britain in 2019: “He set out to destroy me. Psychologically, I’m a tough guy hard on the outside, soft on the inside.”
He said he felt “humiliated, dirtied, ashamed” and described the slur as “a life sentence without parole”.
Unsworth sued for defamation in Los Angeles, calling Musk a “billionaire bully” and seeking $190m in damages.
Musk apologised but claimed the insult was a casual South African phrase.
A US jury sided with Musk in 2019, leaving the Brit to shoulder huge legal costs.
Despite the bruising trial and personal toll, Unsworth was later awarded an MBE and remains celebrated in Thailand.
EPAUnsworth pictured outside the United States Courthouse in Los Angeles in 2019[/caption]
EPAElon Musk pictured in 2019 leaving after the first day of trial against the British diver[/caption]