Heartbreaking revelation after Sydney train tragedy killing dad, 2yo daughter

A former neighbour of the man who died trying to save his daughters at a Sydney train station has revealed a heartbreaking detail.

A father who died along with one of his daughters at a Sydney train station had tried to start a family with his wife for years before their welcoming twins.

Anand Runwal, 40, was killed after jumping down from the platform to rescue his twin two-year-old daughters whose pram had rolled onto the tracks at Carlton station in Sydney’s south on Sunday.

One of the twins died alongside Mr Runwal, while the other child miraculously survived after being pulled out by rescuers from under the train.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said the father had died performing “an extraordinary instinctive act of bravery”.

“That’s not going to bring him or his little daughter back but it shouldn’t go unremarked upon that in the face of a terrible accident he gave his own life to try to save his children,” Mr Minns said.

Anand Runwal (left) was killed on Sunday trying to save his daughters. Picture: Facebook

A former neighbour of Mr Runwal and his wife, Poonam Runwal, told Daily Mail Australia the little girls, whom he described as “happy” and “gentle”, were miracle babies.

“I believe they were trying to have kids for about 10 years, they were married a long time and were a happy family,” the friend named Benzin said.

He said it had been too hard to explain the tragedy to his four-year-old son, who used to play with the girls.

“He keeps asking to see the girls. He is only four, it is too hard for him to understand so we have told him they moved back to India,” he told the publication.

It has been reported the Runwal family had only moved from India in late 2023, with Mr Runwal working in IT for Infosys in North Sydney.

“We are deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of our colleague and his small child on Sunday,” the company said in a statement.

“Our prayers are with his wife, his other child, extended family and colleagues. We are providing every possible support to his family during this time of grief, and also in touch with local authorities.”

The family had only moved to Sydney in the last 12 months. Picture: Facebook

St George Police Commander Detective Superintendent Paul Dunstan said on Sunday the family lived locally in the southern Sydney suburb.

He said Mr Runwal’s wife was being supported by friends and family.

“She’s clearly in a state of shock and struggling with what’s happened today,” Det Supt Dunstan said.

CCTV footage captured the family strolling to the station, with Mr Runwal pushing the pram and his wife following behind.

The family appeared happy and relaxed prior to arriving at the station. Picture: Channel 9

Police are investigating whether a gust of wind could be responsible for the pram rolling onto the tracks only a few moments after the family got out from a lift.

“He’s 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 his life, but it’s an incredibly brave and heroic act,” Det Supt Dunstan said.

Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland said these kind of incidents are “incredibly rare” but the outcomes are “tragic”.

He said footage of the station had been shared with NSW Police to “understand the nature of the incident”.