Todd Russell, one of the survivors of the Beaconsfield mine collapse, has died aged 54 following an undisclosed illness.
Russell was one of the two Tasmanian miners trapped underground for almost two weeks after the disastrous mine collapse on Anzac Day in 2006, which happened due to a rockfall following 2.2 magnitude earthquake. A third miner, Larry Knight was killed in the collapse.
He left hospital last week to live out the rest of his days with his family, following his lengthy health battle.
Tributes have since poured in for Russell, with Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff sharing on Tuesday: “Vale Todd Russell. Thoughts this morning are with Todd’s loved ones and everyone who had the absolute pleasure of knowing him.”
State Emergency Services Minister Felix Ellis also paid tribute to Russell.
“A man who emerged from the darkest place on earth and showed the courage, mateship and larrikin sense of humour that would light up those years before and since,” he wrote on Facebook.
At the time, Russell and Brant Webb had survived being trapped underground for two weeks by sipping groundwater and nibbling on a single muesli bar for five days before rescuers eventually made contact with them.
Russell’s reunion with his family following the rescue was witnessed by millions of Australians watching on TV.
“Just to see the whole family there was mind blowing,” Russell later said.
He also recalled how he and Webb, who were work colleagues but not friends, bonded as they lay trapped in the mine, and even wrote their final notes to their families in case they did not survive.
“That was the hardest part of the ordeal, I think … writing the letters to loved ones at home,” said Russell in a previous interview with A Current Affair.
Russell and Webb became national heroes following their rescue, with a book and telemovie published about their ordeal.
However, the disaster had impacted Russell’s relationship with his family and his mental health, which led to his eventual split from his wife Carolyn Russell.
“When he came out he was different,” his ex-wife said in an interview with 60 Minutes.
“The kids would get really noisy and he’d get really angry … he used to yell at the kids and he never used to do that before.
“Some of the things that he’d say to them you shouldn’t say to your own kids.
“He was just so different.”
Webb had also been affected following the mine collapse, saying that he had experienced panic attacks, paranoia and depression after it occurred, which led to his decision to lead a quieter life.
Images: Nine
