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 teacher who died after a water tanker truck crashed through a kindergarten is named as her final heroic act is revealed.

Mother-of-two Eleanor Bryant, 43, rescued children from harm’s way when the tanker plowed through the playground at the 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 kindergarten died at the scene.

It is understood that Mrs. Bryant is the mother of an eleven-year-old boy and a nine-year-old girl.

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

“We are absolutely devastated,” a family friend told the newspaper Herald 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.”

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

A boy, 3, was taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries to his upper body. His condition is believed to be stable.

Police say it is “incredible” that no other children were injured.

“This is one of those close calls where I don’t know how only one person died today,” Detective Senior 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 hospital for observation, where he remained on Monday evening.

It is believed the tanker crashed into a utility pole on Main Road before the trailer drove into a playground and came to rest in the sandbox.

The company of the tanker involved, McKenzie Water, broke its silence on Monday evening to express its shock and sincere condolences to all involved.

A preschool worker is dead after a water tanker plowed through the Macedon Ranges Montessori Preschool. In the photo the police are on the scene

The police investigation into the tragedy continues

A woman has been killed and a child seriously injured after a water tanker crashed into a nursery school northwest of Melbourne

Concerned parents were initially separated from students by fallen power lines, but were then able to hug their children after crews cleared the danger.

Police closed the roads around the school after power lines were down during the accident

This is an incredibly disturbing time and our deepest condolences go out to those involved and their families and friends,” said owner Alan McKenzie.

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

“We thank the staff and first responders who responded. We are assisting the authorities in their investigation.

“McKenzie Water Pty Lid has been operating in Melbourne and Victoria for 40 years, and our priority has always been safety and compliance.”

Local residents reported hearing the sound of fire alarms from the nearby fire station just after 2:20 p.m.

McKenzie Water has expressed its shock and sincere condolences to everyone affected after one of its water tankers rammed into a nursery school

The crash also damaged a car, rocking the small community

The main road in Riddells Creek was closed for much of Monday afternoon

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

The water tanker plowed through the playground before coming to rest in the sandbox

Parents were initially kept outside due to fallen power lines, while the children were kept inside for their own safety.

The students’ parents were seen from a television helicopter hugging each other as they were reunited.

An air ambulance arrived on scene and paramedics worked on the injured.

An employee at a local bakery told Daily Mail Australia that initial reports suggested the truck crashed into a car.

“We’re told a truck rear-ended a car and the back of the truck trailer entered the preschool,” she said.

“The truck driver went to the hospital.”

The worker described the scene as “chaos.”

“I knew it was something serious when the alarm went off at the fire station behind us and shortly after they left I heard two ambulances coming,” another resident posted online.

“All emergency services arrived very quickly and power company workers are there working on the fallen power lines,” said another witness.

“Not a pleasant scene to see an ambulance helicopter arrive and land, and I so hope everyone is okay and safe.”

One witness revealed that they heard the accident just before the crash.

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

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

Macedon Ranges Montessori Preschool is located in Riddells Creek, a small town northwest of Melbourne

‘Those poor children. I was sitting in front of two cars. The sound was terrifying,” they said.

‘Terrible, we didn’t see the truck fly off the road, just the power lines coming down… just terrible.’

Roads were closed in all directions around the school.

“The exact circumstances are under investigation,” a police statement said.

It is understood workers from Macedon Ranges Shire Council have just started roadworks in the same area in a bid 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 after crashing through the fence of Auburn South Primary School in Hawthorn East, Melbourne.

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