Tragic cause of truck crash that killed Eleanor Bryant at Riddells Creek preschool near Melbourne
A kindergarten worker was killed while trying to protect the children as an out of control truck ploughed into a preschool.
Mother-of-two Eleanor Bryant, 43, pulled children out of harm’s way as the 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, while a three-year-old boy was taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital.
The boy was being treated for an arm injury and ambulance officials said he was not in a life-threatening condition.
Police remain investigating the shocking incident, where a suspected medical episode is believed to have caused the 68-year-old driver of the water tanker to veer off the road and hit the community centre.
The truck driver was also transported to hospital, and police said he was assisting them with their inquiries.
Detective Senior Sergeant Christian Von Tunk said initial investigations led them to believe the truck lost control on a bridge about 120m from the pre-school.
‘It appears there’s some contact with that bridge – we can see some debris,’ he said.
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
‘There are also some signs on the left-hand side of the road that appear to have been struck as well.
‘It’s a tragic set of circumstances which actually could have been a lot worse … this is one of those close calls and I don’t know how only one person has died today.’
Macedon Ranges Shire Council CEO Bernie O’Sullivan said his organisation’s deepest condolences were with the impacted parties.
‘We are working closely with emergency agencies in response and to find out more information as it comes to hand,’ he said.
Police say it’s ‘unbelievable’ that only one child was injured in the crash
Locals in the close-knit town of Riddells Creek consoled each other in the wake of the tragedy
‘Our immediate priority is to support those affected and our broader communities – particularly those in Riddells Creek – however we practically can.’
The crash comes less than two weeks after 11-year-old Jack Davey was killed and four other students injured after an SUV crashed through a fence at Auburn South Primary School in Melbourne’s east.
Anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
