Hero father who died rescuing children identified

The hero father who died while trying to save his children after their pram fell onto train tracks has been identified.

Anand Runwal, 40, and his two-year-old daughter, were killed at Carlton Train Station on Sunday afternoon after the pram fell onto the tracks, according to the Daily Telegraph.

It’s understood Mr Runwal moved from India to Sydney last October with his wife, Poonam, and two children.

Mr Runwal reportedly worked at an IT firm in North Sydney.

A fundraiser has been set up for the family, who are facing “unimaginable grief and trauma” following the tragic incident.

“The father’s selfless act of bravery has left the local community in shock and mourning. The family, part of the local Indian community, is now facing unimaginable grief and trauma. The 39-year-old mother witnessed the horrifying incident and is struggling to cope with the loss of her husband and daughter,” the fundraiser read.

“In the wake of this devastating accident, we are reaching out to the community for support. The funds raised will go directly to the family to cover funeral costs, medical expenses for the surviving daughter, and ongoing support for the grieving mother.

“This is an incredibly difficult time for them, and any contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant difference.”

A school friend of Mr Runwal expressed his condolences in a tribute on social media.

“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 wrote.

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

“May their souls rest in peace.”

The horror incident happened when the pram carrying the two-year-olds rolled onto the tracks at Carlton train station in Sydney’s south about 12.25pm on Sunday.

One of the girls survived the accident and was rescued by police who crawled under the train after hearing crying.

Superintendent Paul Dunstan, Commander of St George Police Area Command, said it appeared “good luck more than anything” saved the second sister.

“The police that climbed under the train said that she was sort of in between the tracks, the way that she’d fallen, and she was largely untouched,” he said.

The sister and her 39-year-old mother have been taken to hospital without injury for assessment and are being cared for by the local Indian community.

The NSW Premier, who lives just metres from the station, said the father had been attempting to save the young children when the accident happened.

“I hope over time they (the community) can gain some solace knowing that the father died from an extraordinary instinctive act of bravery,” he said.

“That’s not going to bring him or his little daughter back, but it shouldn’t go unremarked upon in the face of a terrible, terrible accident.

“He gave his life to try and save his children.”

Superintendent Dunstan said early investigations indicated the family had taken the lift to the platform.

“As they’ve gotten out of the lift, they’ve taken their hands off the pram for a very, very short period of time,” Superintendent Dunstan said.

“Whether it’s a gust of wind or we’re not quite sure, but it appears that the tram has instantly started to role in the direction of the train lines”.

Superintendent Dunstan said witnesses reported the pram rolling towards the train.

The train that hit the family had not been due to stop at Carlton, but it’s understood it had been slowing down as it passed through.

Superintendent Dunstan said it was protocol for trains to slow before a station even if it were not stopping and that it “appeared it was slowing down”.

Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland said the train was manned by “two of our more experienced crew” and that the national regulator had been notified.

“This particular train wasn’t tabled to stop at Carlton train station, it was heading towards Bondi Junction,” Mr Longland said.

“It was approaching the station with caution. That’s how our drivers are instructed to drive in order that they can make sure that there’s no incidents on the platform.

“So, I can’t cannot comment on the speed it was operating at. That will all be part of the investigation.”

In an earlier statement, police stated the incident was not being treated as suspicious with a report to be prepared for the information of the coroner.