Beaconsfield mine survivor Todd Russell has died after more than a year of cancer treatment, prompting an emotional tribute from Brant Webb, the man who spent two weeks trapped underground with him.
Russell, 54, died at home on Monday night surrounded by friends and family. Webb said his former mining partner had fought as hard as he could against the illness.
“He really did try his hardest to beat this one …. unfortunately, it got him in the end,” Webb said.
The pair were among 17 workers at the Beaconsfield gold mine in Tasmania when a small earthquake caused a rockfall on April 25, 2006. They freed themselves from the rubble but remained trapped in a confined area beneath thousands of precariously placed rocks.
They spent the following two weeks there before being brought to the surface. Images of their return, as they raised their fists and embraced their loved ones, were broadcast around the world.
Tribute to a fellow Beaconsfield survivor
Webb said the experience had created a lasting bond between them and described Russell as a fighter.
“Even when we were stuck in the hole, he fought his hardest in that hole,” Webb said. “He yelled as hard as he could, he screamed as hard as he could. He did everything.”
In the years after the disaster, the pair travelled around Australia raising money for rescue organisations and charities. Webb said they had been “joined at the hip” during the first four years.
Russell also spent 31 years as a volunteer with the local fire brigade, eventually becoming chief. Webb said he had done a great deal for the community and called his death “a sad loss”.
Russell stepped back from his community roles after being diagnosed in July 2024 and missed the 20th anniversary of the mine collapse earlier this year.
He married Donna Russell in May. In July, he thanked her publicly after returning home for the first time in 19 weeks, writing: “I would love to thank my beautiful wife Donna Russell for my beautiful day out today.”
