The Advocate has reported on the sad death of Beaconsfield mine collapse survivor Todd Russell. The newspaper noted that few Australians would not have been affected by the death, particularly those who followed the news 20 years ago when the drama unfolded.
The Advocate recalled the disaster, the subsequent search, and the sensational news that Todd Russell and Brant Webb were still alive. Bill Shorten, then national secretary of the Australian Workers’ Union, was a regular fixture on TV screens providing updates on the complicated rescue effort.
The report highlighted the national sigh of relief when Webb and Russell emerged after being trapped underground. The Advocate also mentioned local pride for Darren Flanagan, an explosives expert from the NSW South Coast, who set up the blast that enabled the rescue.