It has been 20 years since the remarkable rescue of two workers trapped in a Tasmanian mine collapse that captivated the nation and turned Brant Webb and Todd Russell into household names.
On May 9, 2006, Australia held its collective breath as the two men emerged free after 14 days trapped 925 metres underground at the Beaconsfield mine.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Never-before-heard stories of survival from the Beaconsfield mine disaster
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The mine collapse had killed their colleague Larry Knight, while Webb and Russell survived in a cage underground.
“We could hear the rock going, breaking on the backs and on the ground, you know, on top of us. And that happened for hours and hours,” Webb recalled.
Russell, who is currently sick in hospital, spoke to 7NEWS by phone about the ordeal.
“I started, you know, yelling and screaming for both Larry and Brant with no response from either,” he said.
Australia held its breath as the two men emerged. Credit: 7NEWSBrant Webb and Todd Russell. Credit: 7NEWSThey were trapped for two weeks. Credit: 7NEWS
Also, still living with the memories of that terrifying fortnight in 2006, are the rescuers.
Greg Crowden was part of the effort to retrieve the men.
“Brant and Todd’s in a cage, 1.5 by, you know, two metres wide. And so, it’s just about 100 tonnes of rock sitting on top of us,” Crowden said.
These days, Crowden and Webb go fishing together.
“We were dead for all money,” Webb said.
Beaconsfield and these families are still dealing with the elation, the pain and the trauma.
“It was a miracle rescue. And the boys were a miracle because they survived everything that they were encountering underground,” former West Tamar Mayor Barry Easther said.
Crowden and Webb go fishing together. Credit: 7NEWSBrant Webb reflects 20 years on. Credit: 7NEWSIt was a miracle that captured the world’s attention. Credit: 7NEWS
But the mental health toll has been significant.
“It has been a bit of a rollercoaster the last 20 years,” Russell said.
“I thought, man, I thought it was dark in the mine until I got mental health issues,” Webb said.
The mine now stands as a museum, a testament to a legend written in the tiny Tasmanian town that will never forget those 14 days in 2006.
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