<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>332892</docID> <postdate>2024-11-12 14:06:21</postdate> <headline>‘Hole in our hearts’: Family’s tribute to kinder worker</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-332893" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20241111187792174600-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="601" /></p> <caption>A woman has been killed and a child injured after a truck crashed into a small-town kindergarten. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p class="wire-column__preview__author"><span class="kicker-line">By <b>William Ton </b>and<b> Alex Mitchell</b> in Melbourne</span></p> <p><strong>The family of a much-loved kindergarten worker killed when a truck smashed into a pre-school says she was the light of their lives and they will miss her like crazy.</strong></p> <p>Eleanor Bryant, 43, was killed when an out-of-control truck crashed into the Macedon Ranges Montessori Preschool's playground, northwest of Melbourne on Monday.</p> <p>The speech pathologist died at the scene and a three-year-old boy was taken to the Royal Children's Hospital.</p> <p>Ms Bryant's family said there is an enormous hole in their hearts and they will "miss her like crazy".</p> <p>"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.</p> <p>"Her infectious smile, sense of humour and passion for life made her a joy to be around.</p> <p>"There is an enormous hole in our hearts today."</p> <p>The family thanked emergency services and the public for laying tributes as they requested privacy.</p> <p>Dozens of bunches of flowers have been placed along the kindergarten's fence by mourners, including children with tears in their eyes.</p> <p>Police are yet to interview the 68-year-old driver whose tanker veered off the road and ploughed into the kindergarten.</p> <p>Victorian Police Commissioner Shane Patton said the driver remains under hospital observation and will be interviewed once he is medically cleared.</p> <p>Mr Patton said it was still too early to confirm whether the driver suffered a medical episode.</p> <p>"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.</p> <p>In an emotional tribute on Tuesday, Nine's Today Show presenter Alex Cullen described his childhood friend as "a light that lit up every room."</p> <p>"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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Mr Patton described Ms Bryant as heroic after preliminary briefings indicated she moved multiple young children out of the truck's way.</p> <p>"Just so brave, and the whole incident is an absolute tragedy," he said.</p> <p>A boy hurt in the accident was treated for an arm injury, which ambulance officials said was not life-threatening.</p> <p>Detective Senior Sergeant Christian Von Tunk said initial investigations indicated the truck lost control on a bridge about 120m from the pre-school.</p> <p>The local basketball club said they are devastated by the loss of Ms Bryant, who was their equipment and uniform co-ordinator.</p> <p>"Eleanor was the most kind, thoughtful and funny friend," the club's Facebook post read.</p> <p>"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."</p> <p>McKenzie Water owner Alan McKenzie confirmed the truck belonged to his company.</p> <p>"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," he said.</p> <p>Macedon Ranges Shire Council CEO Bernie O'Sullivan offered his deepest condolences and vowed to support those affected.</p> <p>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.</p> </body>