Hero dad Anand Runwal named after train station horror in Sydney

A man whose last act was to try and save his twin daughters from the tracks at a Sydney train station has been identified.

A father who died trying to save his twin daughters from the tracks at a Sydney train station has been identified, as he is remembered for a heroic last act.

Anand Runwal, 40, was killed after jumping down from the platform to move a pram containing his daughters which had rolled onto the tracks at Carlton station.

Mr Runwal and one of the two-year-old girls died at the scene, while the other child survived with barely a scratch, according to witnesses.

The girls’ mother was heard to call out “save my babies” during the horrific incident, which unfolded at about 12.25pm on Sunday.

Anand Runwal (left) was killed on Sunday. Picture: Facebook

NSW Premier Chris Minns yesterday 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,” he said.

It has been reported the Runwal family had 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.”

Sreyas Gopalakrishnan Thottarath posted a tribute to Mr Runwal in the VB Darbar High School alumni Facebook page on Sunday night.

“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,” he wrote.

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

There have also been messages of support published in social media pages for Sydney’s Indian community

“The heart-wrenching loss of a precious two-year-old girl and the brave father who sacrificed his life in an attempt to save her is a profound tragedy that words can scarcely address,” one post read.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the surviving family members, especially the second toddler who survived this unimaginable event, and her mother who, despite being spared physical harm, will bear the emotional weight of this tragedy.

“May they find solace and strength in this incredibly difficult time.”

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

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

He said Mr Runwal’s wife, now identified as Poonam Runwal, 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.

They appeared relaxed on a Sunday afternoon that would soon descend into unimaginable tragedy.

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

Witness Lauren Langelaar told Daily Mail Australia she tried to comfort the girls’ mother as the incident unfolded.

“I ran out to help the mother because I could just hear her screaming while looking down onto the tracks,” Ms Langelaar said.

“It all happened very quickly. I was down on the platform helping the mother try and scream out to her children and husband under the train.”

Ms Langelaar said she saw one of the girls pulled out from beneath the train with “hardly a scratch on her” while Ms Runwal “begged” to see her family.

“She refused at first for paramedics to check her out, she just wanted to hold her [daughter],” Ms Langelaar said.

“Then she continued to yell out, ‘Where is my husband and other child?’.”

Emergency services at Carlton train station on Sunday. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

The train was not meant to stop at Carlton railway station but halted soon after the collision.

Police were 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,” Superintendent Dunstan said.

Chief Executive of Sydney Trains 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”.

Staff were being supported by Sydney Trains.