Beaconsfield mine survivor Todd Russell leaves hospital for final days

Summarised from 2 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 5 Nov, 05:34 · Archive

Todd Russell, rescued from a collapsed Tasmanian mine in 2006, has left hospital after eight and a half months to spend his final days at home.

Todd Russell, 54, one of two miners rescued from the Beaconsfield mine in northern Tasmania in 2006 after two weeks trapped underground, has left hospital to see out his final days at home surrounded by family and friends. He announced on Tuesday that he has spent eight and a half months in hospital treating an undisclosed illness.

Russell and co-worker Brant Webb were trapped after a rockfall at the mine in 2006. Their colleague Larry Knight was killed in the collapse. The pair were initially presumed dead before their cries were heard by searching workmates days later, and they were rescued from almost one kilometre underground in a daring rescue mission that gripped Australia.

In a statement, Russell said: '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 continued: 'The time has come medically and physically where there are no further options on either front for me.' Since his rescue, Russell has worked as a firefighter and motivational speaker, discussing the mental health injuries he suffered underground and since.

How it is being reported

• ‘Nothing left to give’: Beaconsfield mine collapse survivor Todd Russell leaves hospital to confront final daysA man whose rescue from a collapsed mine in Tasmania gripped Australia in 2006 has revealed he will soon die at home surrounded by family after a lengthy stay in hospital.The West Australian · 4 Nov, 23:08
• ‘Nothing left to give’: Beaconsfield mine collapse survivor Todd Russell leaves hospital to confront final daysA man whose rescue from a collapsed mine in Tasmania gripped Australia in 2006 has revealed he will soon die at home surrounded by family after a lengthy stay in hospital.Perth Now · 4 Nov, 23:08
• 'Nothing left': Beaconsfield miner's sad health updateTodd Russell, one of two miners who were miraculously rescued from an underground collapse in 2006, has declared he will see out his final days at home.The West Australian · 3 Nov, 23:55
• 'Nothing left': Beaconsfield miner's sad health updateTodd Russell, one of two miners who were miraculously rescued from an underground collapse in 2006, has declared he will see out his final days at home.Perth Now · 3 Nov, 23:54

In this story: Todd Russell · Brant Webb · Larry Knight · Beaconsfield mine · Tasmania · Launceston General Hospital

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log