World · East Asia & Pacific · 6 hrs ago
Beaconsfield mine survivor Todd Russell dies at 54
Todd Russell, a survivor of the Beaconsfield mine collapse, has died aged 54.
He was one of two miners trapped underground at a mine in northern Tasmania in 2006.
Russell and Brant Webb were rescued after two weeks underground, after being presumed dead when a rockfall buried them.
The collapse killed another miner, Larry Knight.
Russell had been receiving hospital treatment for an illness, and recently said he would return home to spend his remaining time with family and friends.
One account identifies the illness as leukaemia, while another describes it only as undisclosed.
His death has prompted tributes from Tasmania’s premier and Webb.
Todd Russell, one of two miners rescued from the Beaconsfield mine collapse in 2006, has died aged 54.
His family confirmed his death after an illness, but sources differ on whether it was identified as leukaemia.
Russell and co-worker Brant Webb were trapped underground for two weeks before their rescue.
Earlier in November, Russell said he was returning home after eight and a half months in hospital to spend his final days with family and friends.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Webb were among those who paid tribute to Russell.
- Who
- Todd Russell, a survivor of the Beaconsfield mine collapse.
- What
- He died aged 54 after an illness. Sources differ on whether the illness was identified as leukaemia.
- When
- Monday night, according to the Daily Mail; the articles were published on November 9 and 10, 2026.
- Where
- At home, according to the Daily Mail. The family confirmed his death.
- Why
- He had been ill. The ABC and Guardian say the illness was undisclosed; the Daily Mail reports he had leukaemia.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A rockfall trapped Russell and Brant Webb underground at the Beaconsfield mine.
Russell and Webb emerged from the mine after two weeks underground.
Russell announced he had started hospital treatment for an undisclosed illness, according to the Guardian.
Russell said he was returning home after eight and a half months in hospital to spend his final days with family and friends.
Russell died at home, surrounded by family and friends, according to the Daily Mail.
- Age at death
- 54
- Mine rescue
- Russell and Brant Webb were rescued after two weeks underground in 2006
- Other miner killed
- Larry Knight
- Hospital stay
- Eight and a half months, according to the Daily Mail and ABC
- Final days
- Russell said he would spend them at home with family and friends
8 sources
David Koch greets rescued miners
Beaconsfield 'will always connect us': Fellow survivor pays tribute to Russell
Todd Russell, Beaconsfield mine collapse survivor, dies aged 54 due to illness
Beaconsfield mine survivor Todd Russell dies aged 54 after battle with leukaemia
What people are saying
We had how many tonnes of rock suspended above us like a jigsaw puzzle and we only needed one rock to move for it to come crushing in, killing Brant and myself
The time has come, medically and [physically], where there are no further options on either front for me and there is no more fight left in me.
After years of pain, uncertainty, appointments, treatments, setbacks, and endless battles, plus the emotional exhaustion of having to pick myself up time and time again, have left me with nothing left to give
Vale Todd Russell. Thoughts this morning are with Todd's loved ones and everyone who had the absolute pleasure of knowing him.