On Sunday, July 21, a tragedy unfolded at Carlton Train Station in Sydney, leaving an Indian family shattered and a community in mourning. At roughly 12:30pm, a double pram fell onto the tracks, with two children, twins aged two, inside. Their father, 40-year-old Anand Runwal, jumped onto the tracks to rescue the children, but was sadly pulled under the train, along with one of his daughters.
The Runwal family had recently moved to Sydney in October 2023 from Pune, with hopes and dreams of a better future as any migrant family. Anand had secured a promising job as technical test lead at Infosys, in North Sydney.
It’s believed Anand Runwal and his family were going out for a family vacation at the time of the incident. As they made their way to Carlton Station around midday, witnesses saw a pram carrying two toddlers fall onto the tracks. Anand’s instinct as a father took over as he went after it, trying to lift up the double pram as bystanders attempted to signal the train to stop, with police arriving minutes later.
NSW Police has described the event as a “rare” but “tragic” incident, with CCTV footage revealing the father had taken his hand off the pram for a “very short period of time” as they exited the lift. Runwal is survived by his wife, 39-year-old Poonam Runwal and their other daughter, who was also in the pram but was rescued by emergency services. Both are not injured, but Poonam Runwal is said to be “very traumatised” and is currently being supported by the local Indian community of St George.
At a media conference later that day, Superintendent Paul Dunstan said “whether it’s a gust of wind … we’re not quite sure. But it appears that the pram has instantly started to roll in the direction of the train lines.” Police also described that they could see “the pram under the train and could hear crying coming from underneath”. In time, they were able to climb underneath and free one of the children who barely had “a scratch on her face” having fallen “in between the tracks” and was taken for inspection before reuniting with her mother.
Dunstan added the “incredibly brave” dad had gone into “parent mode”, costing him his life.
Premier Chris Minns, who is from the neighbourhood said, “He gave his own life to try and save his children.”
The news of the accident spread quickly, and the Indian community in Sydney, along with the broader Australian public, was deeply moved. Messages of condolence and support poured in from all corners to support Poonam Runwal, who faces the loss of a loving husband and a beloved two-year old daughter.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the family have requested privacy as they navigate this incredibly difficult time. A formal statement from the family is yet to be given. Friends and family, both in Australia and back in India, have rallied around them, providing whatever support they can to help them.
Local authorities have launched an investigation into the Carlton family tragedy to determine the exact cause and to ensure that necessary steps are taken to enhance safety at train stations across Sydney.
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