Anand Runwal, 40, tragically lost his life on Sunday while trying to save his twin two-year-old daughters from an oncoming train at Carlton Railway Station. Witnesses were horrified as a pram carrying the girls rolled onto the tracks.
Mr Runwal, responding to his wife Poonam’s screams to save their babies, leapt onto the tracks. Despite bystanders’ efforts to alert the train, it was too late.
Mr Runwal and one of the twins were struck and killed. The other girl was pulled from between the train’s wheels and survived. The family’s recent move from India to Sydney in October 2023 marked a new chapter in their lives, which has now been irrevocably altered by this tragedy.
A Tragic Incident Unfolds
CCTV footage shows the family walking along a footpath, with Mr Runwal pushing the pram and Mrs Runwal pulling a trolley bag. They had arrived on the platform via an elevator and momentarily let go of the pram, which then rolled onto the tracks.
NSW Police Superintendent Paul Dunstan described the incident, explaining that a gust of wind might have caused the pram to move. He commended Mr. Runwal’s instinctive parental reaction. Responding officers heard crying from underneath the train and rescued the surviving girl, reuniting her with her mother.
Community in Mourning
The local Indian community and friends are supporting Mrs. Runwal and her surviving daughter, who were discharged from St George Hospital. Tributes poured in on social media, with friends expressing their condolences.
NSW Premier Chris Minns highlighted Mr Runwal’s bravery, acknowledging the profound loss for the St George community.
Emergency services arrived at Carlton Railway Station at 12:25 PM, following reports of the incident. Multiple investigations, including a coronial inquiry, are underway to determine necessary safety improvements. Sydney Trains CEO Matt Longland confirmed that all relevant information, including CCTV footage, has been handed over to the police. The National Rail Safety Regulator has been notified, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
The tragic death of Anand Runwal has shocked and saddened the community. His heroic attempt to save his daughters has been acknowledged as an extraordinary act of bravery. The incident underscores the importance of safety measures at train stations to prevent such heartbreaking accidents in the future.
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