A father who died trying to save his twin toddlers after their pram rolled onto train tracks in an apparent accident in Sydney's south has been lauded as "brave and heroic".
The 40-year-old man died at the scene along with one of his toddlers, a two-year-old girl. A second two-year-old girl and a 39-year-old woman were taken for treatment in hospital. The pair have since been discharged.
Emergency services were called to the Carlton Railway Station on Sunday afternoon after reports a pram, carrying two children, had rolled from the platform.
'An incredibly brave and heroic act'
Police said the accident happened when the family took a lift down to the train platform, where the parents took their hands off the pram for a "very, very short" time.
The pram then instantly started to roll in the direction of the train line, onto the path of a train that was not due to stop at the station.
NSW Police superintendent Paul Dunstan described the father's attempt to save his children's lives as "an incredibly brave and heroic act".
"He's just gone into parent mode and tried to save his two young daughters [who've] fallen onto the tracks and in doing so, it's cost his life," Dunstan said.
Emergency services responded within minutes of the first call for help and were confronted by the cries of the surviving twin, Dunstan said.
Галт тэрэгний зам дээр унасны улмаас хоёр настай охин, эрэгтэй хоёр нас баржээ. Эх сурвалж: AAP / Bianca De Marchi
"Police climbed under the train and rescued one of the children, who was thankfully unharmed, and reunited her with the mother.
"Sadly, the other child, a two-year-old female, and her father who attempted to save the child, have passed away as a result."
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the local Indian community, which the family were part of, would be struggling today after such a "terrible" accident and tragedy.
"I hope over time they can gain some small solace knowing that the father died from an extraordinary, instinctive act of bravery," he said.
"He gave his own life to try and save his children."
Police to investigate the incident
Chief executive of Sydney Trains Matt Longland said these kinds of incidents were "incredibly rare", but the outcomes are "absolutely tragic".
The train was not due to stop, but it appeared to have been slowing as it moved through the station.
Longland said the train had approached the station with caution as drivers were instructed to do, but its speed would form part of an investigation into the incident.
"This incident will be fully investigated by the police and we'll wait for that process to occur," he said.
"We've made all the relevant information available to the police, including camera footage of the station."
He added that drivers were instructed to approach stations with caution, and the staff involved were being supported.
"They're two of our more experienced crew ... but clearly the nature of this incident was very confronting," Longland said.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union said it would also be providing support.
NSW Police earlier said the incident was not believed to be suspicious, but a crime scene has been established.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
