A tragic incident occurred at a kindergarten in Riddells Creek, Victoria, on Monday afternoon when a water tanker crashed through a fence, killing a woman and injuring a young child. The incident took place on Main Road, approximately 55 kilometers north of Melbourne, at a small-town preschool. Authorities have confirmed that a 43-year-old woman, who worked at the kindergarten, tragically died at the scene. A three-year-old boy, who was also at the kindergarten, sustained arm injuries, though they are not believed to be life-threatening.
According to Victoria Police, the truck, which was owned by McKenzie Water, struck a power pole before veering off the road and plowing into the preschool’s fence. Investigators believe the driver may have suffered a medical episode, causing him to lose control of the vehicle. The truck’s path suggests that it made contact with a nearby bridge approximately 120 meters from the preschool before continuing into the fence. Detective Senior Sergeant Christian Von Tunk described the incident as a “tragic set of circumstances” and emphasized that it could have been much worse.
The truck driver, who was also taken to the hospital, is currently assisting police with their inquiries. Alan McKenzie, owner of McKenzie Water, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, offering condolences to the families involved. The crash comes less than two weeks after a similar tragedy in Melbourne, where a vehicle crashed into a primary school, killing an 11-year-old boy.
The devastating events have deeply impacted the Riddells Creek community. Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas extended her thoughts to the victims’ families, thanking first responders for their swift actions in the aftermath of the crash.
