A kindergarten worker who died after a water tanker crashed into a preschool has been named as her latest heroic act is revealed.
Mother-of-two Eleanor Bryant, 43, pulled the children out of harm’s way when the tanker truck plowed through the playground at Macedon Ranges Montessori Preschool in Riddells Creek, northwest of Melbourne, on Monday afternoon.
The speech therapist who worked with children with special needs at the preschool died at the scene.
Ms Bryant is understood to be the mother of an 11-year-old boy and a nine-year-old girl.
Originally from New South Wales, she moved to Riddells Creek after five years in Melbourne.
“We are absolutely devastated,” a family friend told Herald of the sun.
‘Eleanor was the person who lit up every room she entered. Her infectious smile, sense of humor, and love for her family and friends made her a pleasure to be around.
“She put everyone else first.”
Eleanor Bryant has been hailed as a hero after she saved children from danger
The mother-of-two was a speech pathologist at Macedon Ranges Montessori Preschool.
A 3-year-old boy was taken to Royal Children’s Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries to his upper body. He is understood to be in a stable condition.
Police say it’s “unbelievable” that no other children were hurt.
“This is one of those situations where, I don’t know how, only one person has died today,” Detective Sergeant Christian Von Tuk told reporters.
It is understood the truck driver, 68, suffered a medical episode while behind the wheel.
He was also taken to the hospital for observation, where he remained Monday night.
The tanker is believed to have crashed into a power pole on Main Road before the trailer crashed into a playground and came to rest in the sand pit.
The tanker’s company involved, McKenzie Water, broke its silence on Monday night to express its shock and offer its deepest condolences to all those involved.
A kindergarten worker has died after a water tanker destroyed the Macedon Ranges Montessori preschool. In the photo the police appear at the scene.
Police investigations into the tragedy continue
A woman has died and a child has been seriously injured after a water tanker crashed into a daycare center northwest of Melbourne.
Concerned parents were initially separated from students by downed power lines, then could be seen hugging their children after crews cleared the danger.
Police blocked roads surrounding the school after power lines were downed in the accident.
“This is an incredibly distressing time and our deepest condolences go out to those involved, their families and friends,” owner Alan McKenzie said.
‘It is understood that our experienced 68-year-old driver has suffered a medical episode and remains in hospital. “We are doing everything we can to support him and his family.”
‘We thank the staff and emergency workers who responded. We are assisting authorities with their investigations.
“McKenzie Water Pty Lid has been operating in Melbourne and Victoria for 40 years, and our priority has always been safety and compliance.”
Locals reported hearing the sound of fire alarms from the nearby fire station shortly after 2:20 p.m.
McKenzie Water has expressed its shock and offers its deepest condolences to all those affected after one of its water tankers crashed into a kindergarten.
A car was also damaged in the accident that has shaken the small community.
Main Road in Riddells Creek was cordoned off for much of Monday afternoon.
A three-year-old child was also seriously injured in the accident.
The water tanker drove through the playground before stopping at the sandpit
Initially, parents were kept outside due to downed power lines, while children were kept inside for their own safety.
The parents of the students were seen from a television helicopter hugging each other as they reunited.
An air ambulance was called to the scene and paramedics were seen treating the injured.
A worker at a local bakery told Daily Mail Australia that initial reports suggested the truck collided with a car.
“What we’ve been told is that a truck rear-ended a car and the back of the truck trailer went into the kindergarten,” he said.
“The truck driver has gone to the hospital.”
The worker described the scene as “chaos.”
“I knew it was something serious when the alarm at the fire station went off behind us and shortly after they left I could hear two ambulances arriving,” another local posted online.
“All the emergency services arrived very quickly and the power company workers are there working on the downed power lines,” another witness said.
“It’s not a very pleasant scene to see an ambulance helicopter arrive and land, and I hope everyone is safe and well.”
A witness revealed that he heard the crash right in front of the accident.
It is understood the tanker driver suffered a medical episode while at the wheel.
Emergencies including police, firefighters and paramedics remain on scene in Riddells Creek
Macedon Ranges Montessori Preschool is in Riddells Creek, a small town northwest of Melbourne.
‘Those poor children. I was two cars ahead. The sound was petrifying,” they said.
“Horrible, (we) didn’t see the truck go off the road, just the power lines down…just horrible.”
Roads were closed in all directions around the school.
“The exact circumstances are being investigated,” a police statement said.
It is understood Macedon Ranges Shire Council workers had just started roadworks in the same area in an effort to improve road and pedestrian safety.
The incident comes just 13 days after a car killed 11-year-old Jack Davey and injured four other students after crashing into the fence at Auburn South Primary School in Hawthorn East, Melbourne.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.