# Todd Russell, Beaconsfield mine survivor, dies aged 54

> The miner rescued after two weeks trapped underground in 2006 has died following a recent illness.
- Title: Todd Russell, Beaconsfield mine survivor, dies aged 54
- Summary: The miner rescued after two weeks trapped underground in 2006 has died following a recent illness.
- Keywords: todd russell, beaconsfield mine collapse, tasmania, brant webb, larry knight, mining accident, the Guardian
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/nov/10/todd-russell-dies-beaconsfield-mine-collapse-survivor-death-illness-aged-54
- Author: Australian Associated Press
- Published: 2026-11-09T22:26:31+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: todd russell, beaconsfield mine collapse, tasmania, brant webb, larry knight, mining accident, news, world
## Survivor of famous rescue dies
Todd Russell, who survived the Beaconsfield mine collapse in northern Tasmania, has died aged fifty four after recently announcing deteriorating health.
## Trapped two weeks underground in two thousand six
Russell and co-worker Brant Webb were rescued after spending two weeks trapped below the surface. The collapse killed miner Larry Knight. Their rescue was a daring mission almost one kilometre underground.
## Russell returned home to end his days
In two thousand twenty five, Russell announced he had started hospital treatment for an undisclosed illness. Earlier in November, he said 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.
## Key takeaway

Todd Russell, who survived the two thousand six Beaconsfield mine collapse in Tasmania, has died aged fifty four after announcing deteriorating health.