‘Overwhelmed by response’: Kind act after train station tragedy

Nearly $140,000 has been raised for the family of a hero father who died along with his daughter after they were tragically struck by a train. Anand Runwal, 40, and his daughter, Hinal, 2, were killed at Sydney’s Carlton train station on July 21 after a pram carrying his twins fell onto the tracks. Mr Runwal’s other daughter managed to survive and was rescued by police who crawled under the train after hearing crying. Now, Australians have banded together to raise more than $139,000 for Mr Runwal’s wife, Poonam, who reportedly flew home to India to be with family and bury her husband, according to the Daily Mail. “In the face of this unimaginable loss and grief, we come together as family, friends and colleagues to support the family of Anand Runwal, a hero who sacrificed everything to try and save his twin daughters during the Carlton Train Station tragedy,” the fundraiser read. “Anand was a calm, humble and friendly person who was liked by everyone he associated with. “Let’s surround the Runwal family with love, kindness, and generosity. Every donation, share, and message of support brings comfort and hope to those affected by this tragedy.” The money has been transferred to Mrs Runwal and the fundraiser has now been closed, with the initial goal to raise $20,000, according to Nadeen Ahmed, who runs the Indians in Sydney Facebook group. “They initially wanted to raise $20,000 to help her with her immediate expenses but they were overwhelmed by the response and people’s generosity,” Ms Ahmed said, according to the Daily Mail. “It’s a very hard situation for her, knowing what to do. She’s heading back to India to be with family because it is going to take months and months for her to deal with this tragedy.” Superintendent Paul Dunstan, commander of St George Police Area Command, previously said it appeared to be “good luck more than anything” that saved Hinal’s sister from the tragic accident. “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. NSW Premier Chris Minns, who lives just metres from the station, earlier said the father had been attempting to save his 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 previously 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 pram has instantly started to roll in the direction of the train lines”.