In a tragic accident at Carlton railway station in southern Sydney on Sunday, a pram carrying twin two-year-old girls rolled into the path of an oncoming train, resulting in the deaths of one of the children and her father, who heroically tried to save them.

New South Wales police superintendent Paul Dunstan reported that the family had just exited a lift onto the platform and briefly took their hands off the pram when it began rolling towards the tracks. The cause of the pram’s sudden movement remains uncertain, with possibilities including a gust of wind.

The train, which was not scheduled to stop at the station, slowed on approach but was unable to avoid the pram. Emergency services arrived within minutes and found the pram beneath the train. Miraculously, one of the little girls survived, landing between the rails and remaining “largely untouched” as the train passed overhead. Her sister, however, did not survive the impact.

The 40-year-old father, in an act of instinctive bravery, attempted to rescue his daughters but lost his life in the process. “In doing so, it’s cost him his life, but it’s an incredibly brave and heroic act by the dad,” said Superintendent Dunstan.

The mother and the surviving daughter were taken to St. George Hospital, where they are in stable condition. The mother, 39, is reported to be in a state of shock, supported by family and friends within their local Indian community.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns expressed his condolences and recognized the father’s heroic sacrifice. “I hope over time they can gain some small solace knowing that the father died from an extraordinary, instinctive act of bravery,” Minns said. In the face of a terrible, terrible accident, he gave his own life to try and save his children.

The incident has left the local community in deep mourning as they come to terms with the loss and the harrowing circumstances of the accident.