Our Bureau
Sydney
Anand Runwal, a 40-year-old Indian IT engineer, died trying to save his twin daughters after their pram rolled onto the tracks at Carlton railway station in Sydney around 12:30 pm on Sunday. Runwal and his family moved to Australia from India in October 2023 after he secured a job at Infosys, an IT services company.
As the family exited a lift at the station, the pram briefly rolled onto the train tracks. In a heroic attempt to rescue his daughters, Runwal jumped down onto the tracks but was struck and killed by an oncoming train, along with one of the twins.
Superintendent Dunstan elaborated on the father’s action, saying, “He’s just gone into ‘parent mode’ and tried to save his two young daughters that have fallen onto the tracks, and in doing so, it’s cost him his life, but it’s an incredibly brave and heroic act by the dad.”
The other twin survived with minimal injuries after landing between the rails. The surviving child was discharged from the hospital on Monday morning.
Poonam and her surviving daughter were transported to St George Hospital, where they are stable. Poonam is in shock and is receiving support from family and friends within the local Indian community.
Upon arrival, police officers discovered the pram beneath the train and heard crying from underneath. It seems the surviving toddler fell “between the tracks” and was “largely untouched.”
The National Rail Safety Regulator has been informed, and a report will be compiled for the coroner. The community is honoring Anand’s bravery, leaving flowers and messages at the station. Police Superintendent Paul Dunstan said, “The girl’s mother, a member of the local Indian community, was left “very traumatized” and is currently being supported by friends and family. “She’s being well supported by her friends and family but she’s clearly in a state of shock and struggling with what’s happened today,”
