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‘Heroic’ father who dove onto tracks to save twin daughters identified as disturbing details of final moments emerge

Home> News> World News

Published 09:45 22 Jul 2024 GMT+1

‘Heroic’ father who dove onto tracks to save twin daughters identified as disturbing details of final moments emerge

A hero dad who died trying to save his children from an oncoming train has been named

Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton

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Featured Image Credit: Nine News/Facebook

Topics: Australia, Parenting, News, World News

Niamh Shackleton
Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton is an experienced journalist for UNILAD, specialising in topics including mental health and showbiz, as well as anything Henry Cavill and cat related. She has previously worked for OK! Magazine, Caters and Kennedy.

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@niamhshackleton

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A dad who died trying to save his children has been named.

Tragedy struck on Sunday, July 21, when a stroller carrying two young girls rolled onto train tracks at Carlton train station in Sydney, Australia.

The stroller was carrying a pair of two-year-old twin girls and their parents watched on in horror.

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The twins' father then jumped onto the tracks in a bid to save his children from an oncoming train.

But sadly the train went on to hit the 40-year-old and killed him. One his daughters also died in the ordeal, but the other miraculously survived.

Following the heartbreaking events, the father who died has been named as Anand Runwal.

He was with his wife Poonam and their daughters - who have not been named - when the incident occurred.

Anand and Poonam had only moved to the Australian city from India with their twins in October 2023. The late father-of-two had landed an IT role based in North Sydney.

In the wake of his untimely passing, the company Anand worked for has issued a statement expressing their sadness.

"We are deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of our colleague and his small child on Sunday," it said.

Anand Runwal, seen with his wife and daughters, died on Sunday. (Facebook)
Anand Runwal, seen with his wife and daughters, died on Sunday. (Facebook)

"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."

Lauren Langelaar witnessed the tragedy unfold and spoke to Daily Mail Australia about what she saw.

"I ran out to help the mother because I could just hear her screaming while looking down onto the tracks," she recalled to the news outlet.

"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."

Lauren added that the little gir, who miraculously survived the incident, had 'hardly a scratch' on her.

NSW police superintendent Paul Dunstan said the dad died doing a 'heroic act'. (10 News First)
NSW police superintendent Paul Dunstan said the dad died doing a 'heroic act'. (10 News First)

Elsewhere she said that someone had tried to alert the train driver by waving at them, but the locomotive wasn't due to stop at that station, so there was little chance it would have been halted in time.

As to how the stroller ended up falling onto the tracks, police are said to be looking into the possibility that a gust of wind blew it.

NSW police superintendent Paul Dunstan has praised the deceased dad's 'incredibly brave and heroic act'.

UNILAD has contacted NSW police for updates on the investigation.

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends on (877) 969-0010.

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