Beaconsfield survivor Todd Russell dies of leukemia, aged 54
Todd Russell, survivor of the 2006 Beaconsfield mine disaster, died of leukemia at home.
Russell died surrounded by friends and family on Monday night, more than a year after his leukemia diagnosis. Russell's son Trent announced the death, saying Russell faced his final moments "on his own terms".
Russell spent months in hospital treatment but chose to leave on November 3 to spend his last days at home. Fellow survivor Brant Webb said Russell had given everything throughout his life.
Russell and Webb were trapped in the Beaconsfield gold mine just north of Launceston on April 25, 2006, when an earthquake triggered a rockfall that killed another miner, Larry Knight. The two men survived two weeks underground before rescue workers freed them.
- 54
- Russell's age
- April 25, 2006
- Original disaster
- age 44
- Knight killed
- north of Launceston, Tasmania
- Mine location
Why it mattersRussell's death closes a remarkable chapter in Australian mining history that gripped the nation two decades ago.
AustraliaRussell's passing removes one of Australia's most recognizable mining survivors and closes the public story of the nation's most famous mine rescue.
Corroborated byABC News·The Sydney Morning Herald
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 1 h ago
