Kindergarten worker’s heroic final act before she was killed by an out-of-control truck as it ploughed through Macedon Ranges Montessori Preschool

A kindergarten worker killed after water tanker truck crashed through a preschool has been named as her final heroic act is revealed. 

Mother-of-two Eleanor Bryant, 43, pulled children out of harm’s way as the out-of-control tanker ploughed through the playground of Macedon Ranges Montessori Preschool in Riddells Creek, north-west of Melbourne on Monday afternoon.

The speech pathologist who worked with special needs children at the preschool  died at the scene.

It’s understood Ms Bryant was the mother of a boy 11, and girl, 9.

Originally from NSW, she moved to Riddells Creek after five years living in Melbourne.

‘We are absolutely devastated,’ a family friend told the Herald Sun.

‘Eleanor was the person that lit up every room she walked into. Her infectious smile, sense of humour and love for her family and friends made her a joy to be around.

‘She put everyone else first.’

 In 2021, Ms Bryant was recognised by Early Start Australia Victoria in a Facebook video paying tribute to its speech pathology team as part of Speech Week.

The mother-of-two was a speech pathologist at Macedon Ranges Montessori Preschool

An out-of-control tanker ploughed through the playground of Macedon Ranges Montessori Preschool in Riddells Creek, north-west of Melbourne on Monday

Police say it’s ‘unbelievable’ that only one child was injured in the crash

A boy, 3, was rushed to Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne with serious but non-life-threatening injuries sustained to his upper body. He’s understood to be in a stable condition.

Police say it’s ‘unbelievable’ that no other children were injured.

‘We’ve lost a 43-year-old teacher’s aide, and we’ve had a child with a very near miss, and a group of children who are in very close proximity, plus some teachers who were fairly close as well,’ Detective Senior Sergeant Christian Von Tuk told reporters.

‘This is one of those close calls that I don’t know how only one person has died today.

‘I dare to say there’ll be some kids getting squeezed very tightly tonight. That’s a really rough one.’

It’s understood the truck driver, 68, suffered a medical episode while behind the wheel. 

He was also taken to hospital for observation, where he remained on Monday night. 

The tanker is believed to have struck a power pole on Main Road before the trailer ploughed into a playground area and came to rest in the sand pit.

The company of the tanker involved, McKenzie Water broke its silence on Monday night to express its shock and offer heartfelt condolences to everyone involved.

A kindergarten worker is dead after a water tanker ploughed through  Macedon Ranges Montessori Preschool. Pictured are police at the scene

Police investigations into the tragedy continue

A woman has been killed and a child seriously injured after a water tanker ploughed into a kindergarten north-west of Melbourne

Concerned parents were initially separated from the pupils by felled powerlines, then they could be seen embracing their children after crews cleared the danger

Police have blocked roads surrounding the school after powerlines were knocked down in the accident

This is an incredibly distressing time, and our deepest sympathies go to those involved and their families and friends,’ owner Alan McKenzie said.

‘Our experienced 68-year-old driver is understood to have suffered a medical episode and remains in hospital. We are doing what we can to support him and his family.’

‘We thank 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 just after 2.20pm. 

McKenzie Water has expressed its shock and offer heartfelt condolences to everyone impacted after one of its water tankers ploughed into a kindergarten

A car was also damaged in the crash which has rocked the small community

Main Road in Riddells Creek was cordoned off for much of Monday afternoon

A three-year-old boy was also seriously injured in the crash

The water tanker ploughed through the playground before coming to a rest in the sand pit

Parents were initially held outside due to fallen powerlines, while the children were kept indoors for their own safety. 

Parents of the pupils were seen from a television helicopter embracing as they were reunited. 

An air ambulance attended the scene, with paramedics seen working on the injured.

A worker from a local bakery told Daily Mail Australia initial reports suggested the truck crashed into a car.

‘What we’ve been told is a truck has rear-ended a car and the back of the truck trailer has gone into the kindergarten,’ she said.

‘The truck driver has gone to 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 come through,’ another local posted online.

‘All the emergency services arrived really fast and power company workers are there working on the fallen power lines,’ another witness said.

‘Not a very pleasant scene to see an ambulance chopper arrive and land, and I so hope everyone is okay and safe.’

One witness revealed they heard the accident from just in front of the crash.

It’s understood the driver of the water tanker suffered a medical episode while behind the wheel

Emergency including police, firefighters and paramedics remain on scene in Riddells Creek

Macedon Ranges Montessori Preschool is in Riddells Creek, a small town north-west of Melbourne

‘Those poor children. I was two cars in front. The sound was petrifying,’ they said.

‘Awful, (we) didn’t see the truck fly off the road, just the powerlines come down…just horrible.’ 

Roads were closed in all directions around the school.

 ‘The exact circumstances are being investigated,’ a police statement read.

It is understood Macedon Ranges Shire Council workers had just begun road works 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 boy Jack Davey and injured four other students, having crashed through the fence of Auburn South Primary School in Hawthorn East, Melbourne. 

Anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.