A woman is dead and a child has been injured after a water tanker crashed through a fence at a small-town kindergarten.
The incident took place on Main Road at Riddells Creek, 55km north of Melbourne, about 2.20pm on Monday.
Victoria Police confirmed a 43-year-old woman who worked at the kindergarten but is yet to be formally identified died at the scene.
A three-year-old boy was taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital suffering arm injuries, with police confirming they were not life-threatening.
Police believe the truck hit a power pole before veering off the road and crashing into the kindergarten.
McKenzie Water owner Alan McKenzie confirmed the truck belonged to his company and said the driver was understood to have suffered a medical episode.
“As a small, family-owned business, we are devastated following the tragic crash at Riddells Creek … this is an incredibly distressing time and our deepest sympathies go to those involved and their families and friends,” he said.
“Our experienced 68-year-old driver is understood to have suffered a medical episode and remains in hospital … we are doing what we can to support him and his family.”
Footage from the scene shows emergency vehicles including fire trucks and ambulances parked across the thoroughfare.
Police taped off the area surrounding the pre-school on Monday afternoon as they investigated.
A second damaged vehicle – a white sedan – remained near the accident, missing its front bumper.
A number of trees were strewn on the road next to the kindergarten, with SES members also in attendance.
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.”
The truck driver, who is assisting police with their inquiries, was taken by ambulance to Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition.
Victorian Health Minister and member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas thanked first responders who helped the injured.
“This is a terrible incident and our thoughts are with the family of the victims and the broader Riddells Creek community,” she said.
The crash 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.
A private funeral was held for Jack on Sunday.
