Finally.....
WALK TO FREEDOM
From: AAP
By Jane Bunce
May 09, 2006
Miners / Reuters
Free ... Todd Russell, left, and Brant Webb leave the mine
TASMANIAN miners Todd Russell and Brant Webb have emerged from the Beaconsfield mine to the cheers of townspeople and the relief of an entire nation.
They clocked out, then walked straight into the arms of their families to the delight of waiting crowds today.
The pair walked out at 5.59am (AEST), about an hour after rescuers pulled them from their underground prison.
Crowds cheered and sirens wailed as the men smiled, then a scrum of family, rescuers and workmates suurounded them.
In fluoro jackets and with miners hardhats, headlights shining, the men walked freely among the crowd inside the mine site compound.
They shook hands, waved to people and gave thanks.
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Mr Russell and Mr Webb then entered separate ambulances at 6.05am (AEST), still smiling and waving, for the 40-minute journey to Launceston Hospital.
Their children jumped into the vehicles to hug their fathers.
Then, as the ambulances left the site, followed by minivans carrying their families, the convoy was cheered by crowds of people who formed an honour guard.
Todd Russell's brother-in-law Allan Bennett was at the top of the mine to greet his relative and friend.
"It's what dreams are made of, mate," he later said.
"I said 'a miracle' to start with, that's all I could think of, and 'it's what dreams are made of'.
Mr Bennett said he would attend the funeral in Launceston today of Larry Knight, 44, who died in the mine rockfall that first trapped the men.
"Don't forget Larry and the other 14 men (who escaped the April 25 rockfall)," he said.
"They're all one, that's how it works," a crying Mr Bennett said.
Another teary onlooker, Diane Alexander, said: "The elation is unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable.
"The whole spirit of this community is tremendous."
Local Vivienne King, a Salvation Army volunteer, said the freed miners looked "really, really" good, considering their long confinement.
"It's amazing. It's just a miracle, an absolute miracle.
"It's hard to believe two weeks have passed.
The pair were taken to hospital but might soon be allowed home.
Mr Russell and Mr Webb arrived at at the emergency department still smiling, waving and giving the thumbs up to the welcoming crowd.
The pair were wheeled inside strapped to guernies.
"They will come in and they will be assessed in the emergency department," Launceston Hospital chief executive Stephen Ayre said on Channel 7.
"They are in very good physical shape (and) we believe they will only be here a minimal amount of time."
News of the rescue success came about 5am (AEST).
"Both Brant and Todd are out of the tunnel and well," mine manager Matthew Gill said.
Australian Workers Union national secretary Bill Shorten said: "Today we've had unbelievable news. After 14 nights at 4.47am, Brant Webb and 4.54am Todd Russell, were freed.
"This is an amazing day, the rescuers have done a fantastic job. The families have been fantastic. And clearly these two men have been outstanding Australians. It's a great day."
A bell at Beaconsfield's Uniting Church pealed in celebration as the news broke, and residents started to make their way to the mine site.
Meanwhile, the two miners were given a full medical check underground.
Mine management spokesman Michael Lester said: "Both of them have been reported to be in very good health considering where they are."
Tasmania's Deputy Premier Bryan Green said the men had been assessed at a category three health level. Category four is normal health.
"With respect to their physical health, I don't think too long at all (before they are back to normal) but I think they'll have to work through a number of emotions as a result of their rescue," he said.
One of Mr Russell's mates, Gavin Purcell, said his head was "just spinning at the moment".
"I can't wait for the boys to get out. It's been a long time.
"I'll be speechless when I see him (Todd). I'll probably be full of tears," the tug boat worker said.
Mr Russell and Mr Webb had been trapped almost 1km underground at Tasmania's Beaconsfield Gold Mine since a rockfall triggered by an earth tremor on April 25.
They were found alive on April 30 and rescuers have been slowly and painstakingly tunnelling towards them ever since.
Last night marked their 14th night trapped in a work cage.
Their workmate Mr Knight was killed in the rockfall. His funeral will be held in Launceston this afternoon.
West Tamar Mayor Barry Easther said it was a time of mixed emotion for the community because of Mr Knight's funeral.
"It's a sad but exciting time to have these two lads brought back to surface, dream come true.
"It's an amazing thing was that they're in such good health.
"How they've held it together all this time I don't know.
"Rescue workers working in such confined spaces were a magnificent group of people.
"It brought home just how close-knit the mining community are," Mr Easther said.