Heroic Father Dies Saving Twin Daughters at Sydney Train Station
A heart-wrenching incident at Carlton Station in Sydney has left a family and community in mourning. Anand Runwal, a 40-year-old father, tragically lost his life on Sunday afternoon while attempting to save his twin two-year-old daughters from an oncoming train. Anand, his wife Poonam, and their young daughters had moved to Sydney from India in October last year, settling in the close-knit Indian community of Kogarah.
The tragic event unfolded when the family stepped out of the lift onto the platform at Carlton Station. According to police reports, the pram carrying the twins began rolling towards the tracks after the family momentarily let go of the handle, possibly due to a gust of wind. Superintendent Paul Dunstan explained, “As they’ve gotten out of the lift, they’ve taken their hands off the handle for a very, very short time, and whether it’s a gust of wind … it appears the pram has instantly started to roll in the direction of the train lines.”
Reacting instinctively, Anand jumped onto the tracks to save his daughters. Premier Chris Minns praised Anand’s actions as “incredibly brave and heroic,” stating, “He’s just gone into parent mode and tried to save his two young daughters and in doing so, it’s cost him his life.”
Upon arrival, police officers discovered the pram under the train and heard crying. Officers crawled under the train and rescued the surviving twin, reuniting her with her traumatised mother. Dunstan noted that the way the pram had fallen had protected the surviving girl, who was found “largely untouched” between the tracks.
The train, which was not scheduled to stop at Carlton but had slowed down while passing through the station, struck the pram, resulting in the death of one of the twins and Anand. The surviving daughter and her mother were taken to St George Hospital in a stable condition. Premier Minns reported, “The two-year-old is doing well, mum is very traumatised. She is a member of the local Indian community, being well-supported by family and friends.”
Following the incident, Carlton Station was closed for the remainder of Sunday, with replacement buses operating between Kogarah and Allawah. Sydney Trains CEO Matt Longland commented, “These sorts of incidents are incredibly rare, but clearly the outcomes are extremely tragic.”
As the station remained closed, police cordoned off the area, and the train involved in the incident stayed stationary on the tracks. Firefighters and Sydney Trains staff shielded the site with a large black tarp while investigators examined the scene.
This devastating event has left a profound impact on the local community, serving as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable nature of life and the extraordinary lengths parents will go to protect their children.
Anand Runwal’s heroic act in his final moments has left a lasting impression on all who hear this brave Indian’s story.
Suggested Safety Solutions
Our opinion is that to prevent such tragedies, implementing safety features similar to those used in airport trolleys for prams could be highly beneficial. These prams could be designed with an auto-lock mechanism that requires the handle to be held for the pram to move, thus preventing it from rolling away when unattended. Such a feature could provide an added layer of safety for parents and their children in busy public areas, ensuring that prams remain stationary unless deliberately moved.
