Debris remains strewn across the playground where kindergarten worker Eleanor Bryant died shielding children from a runaway truck, leaving her family with “an enormous hole in our hearts”.
The water tanker smashed through the gate of Macedon Ranges Montessori Preschool’s playground, northwest of Melbourne on Monday, killing the mother-of-two and injuring a three-year-old boy.
Ms Bryant’s family are devastated by the loss, saying they will “miss her like crazy”.
“She was the light of our lives: a cherished mother, wife, daughter and sister, and beloved by all her family and enormous network of friends,” her family said in a statement.
“Her infectious smile, sense of humour and passion for life made her a joy to be around.
“There is an enormous hole in our hearts today.”
The family thanked emergency services and the public for laying tributes as they requested privacy.
A constant stream of mourners, including children with tears in their eyes, laid dozens of bunches of flowers at the gate of the pre-school on Tuesday.
“The world was better because of you,” a message written on one said.
“We will love you forever, and you will never be forgotten,” another said.
Initial investigations indicate the truck lost control on a bridge about 120m from the pre-school.
An overturned power pole rests just metres from the school gate, where broken fence pieces and a bent shed reveal the truck’s path of destruction.
Large vehicles frequently thunder down the streets of Riddells Creek, a tight-knit community about 60km from Melbourne where locals greet people on the street with a nod and a smile.
Investigators are yet to interview the 68-year-old driver whose tanker veered off the road and ploughed into the kindergarten.
Victorian Police Commissioner Shane Patton revealed the driver remains in hospital under observation, and will be interviewed once medically cleared.
Mr Patton said it was still too early to confirm whether the driver suffered a medical episode.
“We’re not going to rule anything in, and we’re not going to rule anything out at this stage,” he told ABC Melbourne Radio on Tuesday.
Nine’s Today Show presenter Alex Cullen paid an emotional tribute to his childhood friend on Tuesday,
“It does not surprise me one bit that Eleanor pushed those school kids out of the way yesterday to ultimately save their lives, she always, always put others first and was a great example to all of us,” he said.
She was an accomplished speech pathologist who grew up in Coonamble in NSW’s central west and leaves behind a husband, 11-year-old son and nine-year-old daughter.
Mr Patton described Ms Bryant as heroic after preliminary briefings indicated she moved multiple young children out of the truck’s way.
“Just so brave, and the whole incident is an absolute tragedy,” he said.
The boy hurt in the accident was treated for an arm injury, which ambulance officials said was not life-threatening.
The local basketball club said they are devastated by the loss of Ms Bryant, who was their equipment and uniform co-ordinator.
“She gave generously to her community and was committed to supporting the RCR kids to get onto the court. Most importantly, Eleanor was an amazing mum and wife,” the club’s Facebook post read.
McKenzie Water owner Alan McKenzie confirmed the truck belonged to his company and said the driver was believed to have suffered a medical episode.
“We are doing what we can to support him and his family,” he said.
Macedon Ranges Shire chief executive Bernie O’Sullivan offered his deepest condolences, with councillors stationed across the town offering support.
It 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.
Leave a Reply