I guess you might have heard of David Blaine’s attempt to live in the bubble, then perform a great escape after so long. But not even David himself could envisage what has happened over the past 2 weeks.
I’d like to introduce to you a small mining town in Tasmania called Beaconsfield, located about 40 minutes from Launceston in the north of the state. The main source of employment is a gold mine that has apparently been running in its current format for about 10 years. Three such people employed by the mine were Larry Knight, Brant Webb and Todd Russell.
On April 25, ANZAC Day in Australia, disaster struck. A small tremor which actually recorded 2.2 on the Richter scale caused a rock fall trapping Russell and Webb, and unfortunately taking the life of Knight. The strangest thing though was that 34 year old Russell and 37 year old Webb were basically trapped in a cage almost 1 mile below the surface.
Fast forward to Sunday, April 30 2006. Whilst the children of the victims were out in Launceston tossing the coin before the AFL match played that day (controversial in itself, but that’s another story), it was discovered later that night that both Brant and Todd were still alive thanks to advanced technology. Once the discovery was made, plans were made to ensure their long-term health, even though their condition was remarkably good considering their ordeal. Thankfully a tube was set to bring water, clean clothing, small lighting, small food (one of them asked for a meat pie, but the tube wasn’t big enough), digital cameras and iPods, which will eventually lead to a meeting the Foo Fighters front man Dave Grohl who got wind of the story.
Indeed the news of this remarkable tale of survival hit the news services around the world. Whilst I didn’t check CNN during this time, I know for certain that ABC in America ran the story in the newsbar. As for the local journalists, there was much controversy surrounding current affairs anchor Naomi Robson’s presence with (ultimately false) rumours surrounding her accommodation.
As the ordeal entered a 2nd week, plans were afoot to create a tunnel to freedom. At first it seemed pretty difficult, with a special drill only being operable once it was set in concrete (another 24 hours down the drain). Then, when word had got around on the Saturday (May 6) that there was a chance that they would be free that night, they discovered that a rock made of materials stronger than concrete would halt progress. It was then that they used a small explosive material to gradually break up the rock.
By the time the next afternoon came around, the rescue team whom is largely forgotten, but deserve a beer or 3 for their efforts, was still trying to get rid of their road block. The manager of the mine then held a press conference at about 1:15 PM that afternoon. One question was asked by veteran journalist Richard Carleton regarding safety in the mine. About 15 seconds later, Carleton moved away from the scrum, collapsed, and an hour later died of a suspected heart attack. Whilst Carleton had suffered from heart problems in the past and had a number of open heart surgeries, the news came as a shock to the entire television community as the majority gathered in Melbourne for the Logie Awards, television’s night of nights in Australia (as crap as it was).
Then this morning (Tuesday, 9 May 2006) came the moment everyone was hoping for. Both Russell and Webb emerged from the lift shortly before 6AM having had their tunnel cleared. The remarkable thing was that despite the ordeal and a short visit to Launceston hospital, both men appear to have a clean bill of health. Indeed Webb discharged himself a matter of hours after seeing daylight for the first time in 2 weeks.
I guess that there will be the usual jockeying for the rights to the story. I’m sure that all 3 commercial Free-To-Air TV networks and maybe a pay TV channel or two will make some form of documentary. Perhaps a telemovie based on the story will be made. Hopefully none of this detracts from the reality of the situation when we all look back on this.
A little sidenote to complete this true story (it’s not bullshit, if it was I probably wouldn’t write this). The funeral for Larry Knight was held only recently. Hopefully his story is also not forgotten despite the fact that he got comparatively less publicity during the 2 weeks.
UNTIL WE SPEAK AGAIN
YOU KNOW I’M A GOOD BLOKE
MOOKS
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