Riddells Creek is in mourning after an out-of-control truck ploughed into a kindergarten, leaving a staff member dead and a child in hospital.
Police are 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.
A 43-year-old kindergarten employee 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.
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.
“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.
“Our immediate priority is to support those affected and our broader communities – particularly those in Riddells Creek – however we practically can.”
AAP
