As it happened: Teacher’s aide, 43, dies while trying to save children in preschool truck crash, police say; Three-year-old boy seriously injured

A teacher’s aide is believed to have pushed children out of the way before a truck ploughed through a preschool in a small town north of Melbourne.

A three-year-old boy suffered an arm injury and was rushed to hospital in a stable condition.

Major Collision Investigation Unit detective Christian Von Tunk said the incident took place during play time at the centre. He said it could have been considerably worse.

Detective Senior Sergeant Christian Von Tunk.Credit: Nine News

“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,” he said at the scene.

Von Tunk said the woman was from Sunbury, and he had heard she may have pushed children out of the way of the truck.

“I’m hearing similar sort of acts of bravery on her behalf. We’ll certainly work through that,” he said.

We’re going to end our live coverage of the tragic crash in Riddells Creek here. Thanks for following and stay safe.

• A 43-year-old teacher’s aide has died after a water tanker crashed into Macedon Ranges Montessori Preschool.
• A boy, 3, suffered an arm injury and was rushed to the Royal Children’s Hospital in a stable condition.
• Police report the woman may have pushed the children out of the way of the truck.
• The 68-year-old driver of the McKenzie Water truck was thought to have suffered a medical episode before he ploughed into a bridge, a car and then the preschool playground.
• The driver was taken to hospital for observation where he remained on Monday evening.
• Macedon Ranges Shire Council had agreed to reduce the speed outside the preschool from 50km/h to 40km/h but the change had not been made.

An investigation into the incident is underway.Credit: Paul Rovere

The truck driver is believed to have lost control of the water tanker before hitting the preschool, police have said.

“At this stage the scene, to us … lends itself to that truck losing control some stage prior to hitting the preschool,” detective Christian Von Tunk said this afternoon.

He told reporters at the scene in Riddells Creek the driver was heading north (towards Romsey) when he lost control.

“Before hitting the preschool, it appeared he collided with a nearby bridge and left debris at that scene before ploughing into signs and a white car,” the detective said.

“And we can see some tyre marks, which then veer across the road and into the school.”

When ambulances and police arrived at the scene, the driver was conscious, he said.

Police are investigating if it was a medical incident, and have also taken blood and breath tests from the driver.

The driver was a 68-year-old man who lived near the area, police said. His employer, McKenzie Water, described the man as an “experienced driver”.

Premier Jacinta Allan has sent a message to all those affected by the Macedon Ranges Montessori Preschool crash.

Jacinta Allan at the Shrine of Remembrance on Monday morning.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui

“I know the close-knit community of Riddells Creek will be grieving tonight,” she said on social media.

“We’re thinking of them, and everyone impacted by this terrible tragedy.”

A teacher’s aide is believed to have pushed children out of the way before a truck ploughed through a preschool in a small town north of Melbourne.

A three-year-old boy suffered an arm injury and was rushed to hospital in a stable condition.

Major Collision Investigation Unit detective Christian Von Tunk said the incident took place during play time at the centre. He said it could have been considerably worse.

Detective Senior Sergeant Christian Von Tunk.Credit: Nine News

“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,” he said at the scene.

Von Tunk said the woman was from Sunbury, and he had heard she may have pushed children out of the way of the truck.

“I’m hearing similar sort of acts of bravery on her behalf. We’ll certainly work through that,” he said.

The Major Collision Investigation Unit’s Christian Von Tuck has provided an update from the scene:

Macedon Ranges Shire Council had said earlier this year it would try to reduce the speed limit outside Macedon Ranges Montessori Preschool from 50km/h to 40km/h.

The Riddells Creek Movement Network Plan identified that lowering the speed limit on Kilmore Road (Main Road) between Melvin Road – which is just before the school – and Filmer Place should be a priority.

Emergency services are investigating the incident.Credit: Paul Rovere

The council endorsed the network plan in June. It ranked the Main Road speed reduction as the 14th-most important out of 38 projects.

However, lowering the speed limit would require approval from the Department of Transport and Planning as Main Road is a state-controlled arterial road, the plan said.

Read more here.

• An adult has died after a water tanker crashed into the play area of the Macedon Ranges Montessori Preschool in Riddells Creek.
• A child has been transported to the Royal Children’s hospital in a stable condition.
• The 68-year-old McKenzie Water truck driver was thought to have suffered a medical episode before the crash.
• The main street leading into Riddells Creek has been closed in both directions.
• Police are investigating the cause of the accident.

Emergency services have blocked the road leading to the preschool.Credit: Paul Rovere

The 68-year-old driver of a water tanker suffered a medical episode before crashing his truck through the fence and into the play area of Macedon Ranges Montessori Preschool.

McKenzie Water business owner Alan McKenzie said the experienced driver remained in hospital.

“We are in shock and offer our heartfelt condolences to everyone involved,” McKenzie said.

One adult died in the incident and a child has been transported to the Royal Children’s Hospital. Ambulance Victoria described the child’s condition as stable.

Emergency services are investigating the incident.Credit: Paul Rovere

McKenzie said the company was doing what it could to support their driver and his family.

“This is an incredibly distressing time and our deepest sympathies go to those involved and their families and friends,” he said.

“We thank staff and emergency workers who responded. We are assisting authorities with their investigations.

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

Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas has extended her sympathies to those impacted by the crash at Macedon Ranges Montessori Preschool and acknowledged the emergency services workers.

Victorian Health Minister, Mary-Anne Thomas.Credit: Simon Schluter

“This is a terrible incident and our thoughts are with the family of the victims and the broader Riddells Creek community,” Thomas said.

“We thank our first responders who are on scene investigating and helping those injured.”

A child has been transported to the Royal Children’s Hospital with an upper body injury after a truck crashed into a kindergarten playground in Melbourne’s outer north.

Ambulance Victoria said the child was in a stable condition and had been transported by road ambulance to the hospital.

A truck has crashed through a fence and into the kindergarten playground.Credit: Paul Rovere

An adult, who early reports indicate was a carer at the kindergarten, died in the incident.

The truck driver has also been transported to hospital for observation. A local resident described the driver as elderly.