Beaconsfield mine survivor Todd Russell has died after a battle with leukaemia having last week revealed he had “nothing left to give”.
The 54-year-old endured 14 days trapped in a collapsed Tasmanian mine in 2006 alongside Brant Webb following an earthquake.
The collapse killed miner Larry Knight, with Mr Russell and Mr Webb returning to the surface after a daring rescue mission almost one kilometre underground.
The pair were initially presumed dead after a rockfall before their faint cries from within a small steel cage were heard by searching workmates days later.
He left Launceston General Hospital last week to spend his final days at home, citing an “endless battle” following eight months of treatment.
In addition to his physical health battle, the former volunteer firefighter and miner also spoke of profound mental health challenges and post-traumatic stress following his 14-day ordeal underground in 2006.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff led the tributes on Tuesday morning, saying his thoughts were with Russell’s loved ones.
“Vale Todd Russell,” Mr Rockliff wrote on social media.
“Thoughts this morning are with Todd’s loved ones and everyone who had the absolute pleasure of knowing him.”
In 2025, Mr Russell announced he had started treatment in hospital for an undisclosed illness.
Earlier in November, he announced he would return home to “see out his days” with friends and family.
“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,” he posted on social media.
- With AAP
More to come.
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