REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Monday, May 8, 2006

60 Minutes reporter Richard Carleton collapsed and died during a press conference at a Beaconsfield park, just metres from where the mine rescue drama was unfolding.

Carleton, who had a history of heart problems, was treated by paramedics, but they could not revive him and he was pronounced dead at Launceston General Hospital.

He was due to broadcast live from Beaconsfield on the 60 Minutes program.

Shocked colleagues, including A Current Affair anchor Tracy Grimshaw, wept as news of his death spread around the Beaconsfield site.

Carleton, 62, had just asked a typically tough question of mine manager Matthew Gill about a 400tonne rock collapse in October 2005, which occurred just 10m from where Todd Russell and Brant Webb were entombed.

“Not 10 metres from where these men are now entombed, you had a 400tonne rock fall. Why is it? Is it the strength of the seam, or the wealth of the seam, that you continue to send men into work in such a dangerous environment?” he said.

Mr Gill deflected Carleton’s question.

“My focus is on rescuing these chaps,” he said.

“In terms of what happened and why, that will happen later.”

Carleton then walked away, but collapsed 20m from the media scrum.

His 60 Minutes producer, Howard Sacre, rushed to his aid and paramedics were soon on the spot, performing CPR. Protective barriers were placed around Carleton.