60 Minutes: April 17

On 60 Minutes this Sunday Nine talks again to Beaconsfield mine survivors Todd Russell and Brant Webb.

When they first spoke to Nine in 2006 they scored a massive cheque from Eddie McGuire, which he gloated was $2.6m. As CEO he then cut staff numbers by 22%.

10 years on it’s unlikely Nine has paid a shred of that amount to speak to the duo for this story. But then Nine doesn’t comment on payment for stories.

Beaconsfield: The Whole Story
There are few stories of survival more incredible than that of Todd Russell and Brant Webb. When disaster struck at the Beaconsfield mine in Tasmania ten years ago this month, the pair dug deep to defy the odds. A massive rock fall had claimed the life of workmate Larry Knight, and Todd and Brant knew their number could be up at any moment. For two nerve-wracking weeks they lay entombed deep underground as the nation held its collective breath. And when it finally came, their rescue was an extraordinary moment of elation. But it didn’t end there.
Reporter: Allison Langdon
Producer: Nick Greenaway

Desperate Measures
When George Pickering visited his son’s deathbed last year he had plans to do more than just say goodbye. His beloved boy Georgie had been declared brain dead after suffering a stroke and medical staff were about to switch off life support. Wracked by grief, the 59-year-old father was determined that wouldn’t happen. He stormed the ward with a loaded gun and threatened to kill everyone. A SWAT team surrounded the hospital as the standoff dragged on for three terrifying hours. But what happened next took everyone by surprise.
Reporter: Michael Usher
Producer: Phil Goyen

8:15pm Sunday on Nine.