West Tamar Council Mayor, Rich Shegog, has issued a statement expressing the Council’s sadness at the passing of Beaconsfield mine collapse survivor, Todd Russell, who was a well-known local and long-serving firefighter in the region.
“The entire West Tamar community is deeply saddened by the passing of one of our much-loved sons, Todd Russell,” said Mayor Shegog.
“For many Australians, Todd will forever be remembered for the extraordinary survival story at the Beaconsfield Mine in 2006.
“Here in the West Tamar, however, Todd was one of our own. He was a familiar face, a much-loved member of the Beaconsfield community and a man whose strength, resilience, humour and determination were evident not only during those remarkable days in 2006, but throughout his life.”
Mr Russell served 31 years as a volunteer firefighter with the Beaconsfield brigade and was highly regarded in sporting circles for his prowess on the football field, the Mayor said.
“On behalf of the West Tamar Council, I pass on my deepest sympathies and condolences to Todd’s family and friends,” he said.
In a social media post just six days ago, Mr Russell shared some details of his health battle.
“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,” he wrote.
“The time has come medically and phyically where there are no further options on either front for me & there is no more fight left in me.
“I will leave hospital tomorrow after eight and half months for the last time to see out my days in my own home surrounded by my wife, kids, loved ones & friends.
“A massive thank you to the incredible staff at the LGH, their overwhelming support, care & kindness have helped to soften the daily grind of what has been an incredibly difficult journey.”
