Father and two-year-old daughter killed at Carlton Train Station identified

A “hero” father who died while attempting to rescue his twin toddlers after their pram fell on to train tracks in Sydney’s south has been identified.

A “hero” father who died while attempting to rescue his twin toddlers after their pram fell onto train tracks in Sydney’s south has been identified.

Anand Runwal, 40 and his two-year-old daughter were killed by an oncoming train at Carlton Train Station on Sunday afternoon, in a tragedy which unfolded in a matter of seconds.

It is understood Mr Runwal and wife Poonam moved with their two twin daughters from India to Sydney in October 2023, with Mr Runwal securing a new job opportunity at an IT firm in North Sydney.

Police were called to the train station just after 12.25pm, minutes after the couple, who were Carlton locals, got out of the station lift with their two-year-olds inside the pram.

“As they’ve gotten out of the lift they’ve taken their hands off the pram for a very short time,” St George Area Commander Superintendent Paul Dunstan said on Sunday.

Anand Runwal and his 2-year-old daughter were killed by an oncoming train at Carlton Train Station in Sydney on Sunday. Picture: Facebook.

“Whether it is a gust of wind, or we’re not quite sure, it appears the pram has instantly started to roll in the direction of the tracks.”

7News reports that as the dad was trying to lift the pram off the tracks, the mother screamed: “Save my babies”.

Supt Dunstan said the 40-year-old father then leapt into action, jumping onto the train tracks to try and rescue his daughters, but a train which was not scheduled to stop at Carlton Station struck and killed him and one of the toddlers. Picture: Damian Shaw

CCTV captured the final moments before the tragedy, with the family seen walking casually along a footpath. Picture: Channel 9

Supt Dunstan said the 40-year-old father then leapt into action, jumping onto the train tracks to try and rescue his daughters, but a train which was not scheduled to stop at Carlton Station struck and killed him and one of the toddlers.

“In doing so, it cost him his life but it’s an incredibly brave and heroic act,” he said.

The second two-year-old girl miraculously survived the tragedy after falling between the tracks as the pram rolled beneath the train’s wheels.

Police were called to the station just after 12.25pm, minutes after the man and his wife, who were St George area locals, got out of the station lift with their two year-old inside the pram. Picture: Damian Shaw

Both the mother and the surviving toddler were taken to St George Hospital for assessment, with the 39 year-old woman “very traumatised” after the deaths of her husband and daughter.

CCTV captured the final moments before the tragedy, with the family seen walking casually along a footpath. The father is pushing the pram with his twin daughters and the mother is pulling a trolley bag.

On Sunday night, a school friend of Mr Runwal shared a touching tribute to social media.

Anand Runwal and his two-year-old daughter were killed by an oncoming train at Carlton Train Station in Sydney on Sunday.

“Dear friends, it is with a heavy heart that I share the tragic news of the untimely passing of Anand Runwal ( From 1999 Batch) and his daughter,” Sreyas Gopalakrishnan Thottarath said.

“Our deepest condolences go out to their family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”

On Monday morning, police detectives returned to the scene to continue their investigations into the incident, while commuters travelled through the station, with some laying flowers and paying their tributes to the father and his daughter.