It's not knowing that hurts: Beaconsfield survivor

BRANT WEBB, who spent two weeks trapped in the Beaconsfield mine collapse of 2006, said his heart went out to the miners and their loved ones.

''You'd have to say this is one bad scenario,'' Mr Webb said. ''But the mining community is like a brotherhood all over the world. You just feel for those families who don't know what is going to be the outcome. You feel for the rescuers who are waiting up top, so eager to get in and start the rescue, to find the blokes who are their mates.

''It would be so frustrating. But you can understand they have to nail down the rescue program and make it as safe as they can before they go in.

''That's what the guys who rescued us did and we are forever in their debt. We didn't want anyone dying to save us.

''I really feel for the two Aussies down there, and their families who are so far away.

''It is the not knowing that gets to you, all the questions that go unanswered.''

Mr Webb's wife, Rachel, said she could understand what the families of the trapped workers were suffering.

''They must be absolutely out of their minds, wanting to know what's happened.''

Mr Webb and his colleague Todd Russell were trapped after an earthquake caused the mine collapse that killed workmate Larry Knight.

It was five days before they were found alive nearly a kilometre below the surface using a remote-controlled device but it took 10 more days to rescue them.