Todd Russell, survivor of Tasmania's Beaconsfield mine collapse, dies aged 54

Todd Russell, one of two miners rescued after spending two weeks trapped underground at the Beaconsfield mine in Tasmania, has died aged 54, The Guardian reported. He had recently announced that his health was deteriorating.

The Beaconsfield gold mine is in northern Tasmania, the island state off Australia's southern coast. In 2006, a rockfall trapped Russell and his co-worker Brant Webb almost one kilometre below the surface. Another miner, Larry Knight, was killed in the collapse. The two men were initially presumed dead, and it was only days later that workmates searching the mine heard faint cries coming from a small steel cage. ABC News has reported that a small earthquake caused the rockfall.

Russell and Webb were brought to the surface after their rescue, and the episode drew wide attention in Australia. Russell's later years were marked by illness. In 2025, he said he had started treatment in hospital for an illness he did not name.

Earlier in November, Russell announced he would return home to "see out his days" with friends and family. The Daily Telegraph reported that he died at home, surrounded by family, after years of ill health.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff paid tribute to Russell on Tuesday morning, saying his thoughts were with Russell's loved ones.