A tragic incident occurred at Carlton train station in Sydney, where a father and one of his twin daughters lost their lives after a pram carrying the girls rolled onto the tracks. Anand Runwal, 40, heroically tried to save his daughters, but unfortunately, he and his daughter Hilal were struck and killed by a passing train. His wife, Poonam, witnessed the heartbreaking event unfold before her eyes.
While commuters are calling for increased safety measures on platforms, Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland acknowledged the challenges of installing guard rails across the extensive rail network due to logistical and structural issues. The current design of the network with various train types and door spacing poses difficulties in implementing platform screen doors effectively.
Although guard rails are in place at some metro stations like Crows Nest, Victoria Cross, and Central, the widespread installation of glass barricades across all platforms remains a significant undertaking. The recent rollout of platform gap fillers at 19 stations aims to prevent items and passengers from falling between the platform and the train.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the pram rolling onto the tracks, with initial speculation pointing to a gust of wind and a sloping platform. Michael Maartensz, a railway safety consultant, emphasized the importance of passenger or platform screen doors in preventing such accidents. These doors act as a barrier to keep individuals at a safe distance from moving trains.
The surviving twin, Hiya, and her mother were taken to the hospital but have since been discharged. NSW Premier Chris Minns is awaiting further briefings before committing to installing guard rails, while NSW Police continue their investigation into the tragic incident. Passengers are reminded to stand behind the yellow line on platforms and to exercise caution when boarding or alighting from trains.
As the industry awaits recommendations from investigations conducted by authorities like the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator, the safety of passengers and staff remains a top priority for transport officials. The community mourns the loss of lives in this devastating accident and hopes that lessons learned will lead to enhanced safety measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
