Woman killed, child injured in kindergarten accident – Australia Associated Press

A woman died and a child was injured when a water tanker crashed into the fence of a kindergarten in a small town.

The incident happened on the Main Road at Riddells Creek, 55km north of Melbourne, at around 2.20pm on Monday.

Victoria Police confirmed that a 43-year-old woman, who worked at the nursery but has not yet been officially identified, died at the scene.

A three-year-old boy with an arm injury was taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital, while police confirmed the child’s injuries were not life-threatening.

Police believe the truck left the road and hit a lamppost before crashing into the kindergarten.

Alan McKenzie, owner of McKenzie Water, confirmed the truck belonged to his company and said it was understood the driver had suffered a medical crisis.

“As a small family business, we are devastated after the tragic accident at Riddells Creek… this is an incredibly sad time and we send our deepest condolences to those involved and their families and friends,” he said.

“It is understood that our experienced 68-year-old driver suffered a medical crisis and remains in hospital. We are doing everything we can to support him and his family.”

Footage from the scene showed emergency vehicles, including fire trucks and ambulances, parked along the street.

Police taped off the perimeter of the preschool while investigating Monday afternoon.

A second damaged vehicle (a white sedan) was near the crash and had no front bumper.

While many trees were laid on the road next to the kindergarten, SES members also participated.

Detective Senior Sergeant Christian Von Tunk said initial investigations believed the truck had lost control on a bridge about 120 meters from the kindergarten.

“There appears to be some contact with the bridge; we can see some debris,” he said.

“There are also some signs on the left side of the road that appear to have been distorted.

“This is one of those tragic events that could have actually been much worse… this is one of those close calls and I don’t know how only one person died today.”

The truck driver, who assisted police with their investigation, was taken by ambulance to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition.

Victorian Health Minister and Member for Macedonia Mary-Anne Thomas thanked first responders who helped the injured.

“This is a terrible incident and our thoughts are with the families of the victims and the wider Riddells Creek community,” he said.

The crash comes less than two weeks after 11-year-old Jack Davey was killed and four other students were injured when an SUV crashed into a fence at Auburn South Primary School in Melbourne’s east.

A private funeral was held for Jack on Sunday.