Beaconsfield mine survivors reflect on 20 years since harrowing rescue

Twenty years ago, Brant Webb and Todd Russell survived a harrowing 14-day ordeal trapped underground after a mine collapse in Tasmania. The disaster, which claimed the life of their colleague Larry Knight, became one of Australia’s most dramatic rescue stories. Both men later gained national recognition, though the experience left lasting scars. On 9 May 2006, a rockfall at the Beaconsfield gold mine buried Webb and Russell in a tiny steel cage, just 1.5 by 2 metres wide. Rescuer Greg Crowden recalled the sheer weight of the collapse—100 tonnes of rock pinned them down. Webb later admitted they felt ‘dead for all money’ as the rescue unfolded.

The pair were finally pulled to safety on 9 May, two weeks after the collapse. Their survival turned them into household names, but the psychological impact lingered. Webb and Crowden now share a bond, often going fishing together.

The Beaconsfield mine has since been repurposed as a museum, preserving the memory of the 2006 tragedy. Meanwhile, Russell remains unwell, currently hospitalised. The anniversary marks two decades since the collapse that killed Larry Knight and tested Webb and Russell’s endurance. The mine’s transformation into a museum ensures the event won’t be forgotten. For the survivors, the physical and emotional toll of those 14 days endures.