Father ‘Anand Runwal’ killed alongside daughter in Sydney train tragedy incident

Los Angeles/ July 22, 2024
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/ A.Gary Singh

NRI Anand Runwal, 40, tragically died while attempting to save his twin daughters from an approaching train at Carlton Railway Station.

On Sunday afternoon, a pram carrying two-year-old twins accidentally rolled onto the tracks as a train approached. Despite the frantic cries of their mother, Poonam Runwal, pleading for help, Mr. Runwal rushed onto the tracks in a heroic effort to rescue his children. The train struck the pram, resulting in the death of Mr. Runwal and one of the twins.

CCTV footage from a nearby store captured the family moments before the tragedy, showing Mr. Runwal pushing the pram with his daughters while his wife handled a trolley bag. The surviving twin was rescued from beneath the train and is reported to be unharmed.

Mr. Runwal, who had moved to Sydney from India with his family in October 2023, was an IT worker. NSW Police Superintendent Paul Dunstan noted that the pram rolled onto the tracks after the parents briefly released it, possibly due to a sudden gust of wind.

Supt. Dunstan praised Mr. Runwal’s swift and brave actions, describing them as an instinctive act of parental courage. Emergency responders managed to retrieve the surviving child and reunite her with her mother, who is receiving support from friends, family, and the local Indian community.

The incident has drawn widespread tributes, including a message from a former school friend of Mr. Runwal, who expressed profound sorrow and condolences. NSW Premier Chris Minns described the event as a "terrible, terrible tragedy" and acknowledged Mr. Runwal’s extraordinary bravery.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing, including a coronial inquiry to review safety protocols. Premier Minns indicated that while future safety measures may be considered, immediate decisions will be deferred until a full assessment is completed. Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland stated that all relevant information, including CCTV footage, has been handed over to the police for review.

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