Beaconsfield miners release story of rescue

BEACONSFIELD, Tasmania - Rescued Beaconsfield miners Todd Russell and Brant Webb have released the official story of their survival, six months after their dramatic rescue from a northern Tasmanian gold mine.

The miners, who spent 14 days trapped underground after a rock fall on Anzac Day, today appeared at Beaconsfield Primary School to launch their story, which they say reveals in depth details of their physical and mental stress during the ordeal.

Mr Russell and Mr Webb attracted the world's attention after the Anzac Day rock fall which trapped them 925 metres underground and killed their workmate Larry Knight.

Bad Ground: Inside the Beaconsfield Mine Rescue was written by journalist Tony Wright after extensive interviews with the miners and their rescuers.

Mr Russell, who described the media attention after their rescue as like "being in the fast lane of a highway", said he and Mr Webb had found it difficult to relive their rescue but felt it their duty to tell the story.

The miners also have launched the Russell Webb Legacy trust foundation to give back money to the children of the community that supported their families during their two-week rescue.

"We'd have gone off our heads by now without their support," he said.

The foundation already holds an undisclosed amount of money contributed by Mr Russell and Mr Webb.

A percentage of retail sales from their book will also be donated to the foundation.

- AAP