Tassie Miners FREE

Rescuers see the light
09may06

A RESCUE worker has told of the elation when his colleagues reached the two trapped miners today.

"I can see your light," screamed the rescue worker as he broke through the earth separating them from freedom.

Mr Russell and Mr Webb shouted back: "I can see your light too".
Rescue co-ordinator Rex Johnson, one of the first to see the miners emerge from a one-metre-wide tunnel dug through solid rock to reach them, was ecstatic.

"It's a great day. Good to get the boys out," he said.

Mr Johnson said the last part of the rescue was hard because the men were so close and everyone just wanted to rush in and get them out.

But he said the rescue team, and Mr Webb and Mr Russell, all knew they had to stop, take their time and do everything properly.

"It was quite easy towards the end but you've just got to be careful. You can't take any chances," he said.