Eleanor Bryant praised for pushing children out of path of truck at Riddells Creek kindergarten

Friends and family have given emotional tributes to Eleanor Bryant, a 43-year-old speech pathologist who died after saving the lives of children at the Riddells Creek pre-school after a truck crashed into the facility. Photograph: supplied

The devastated family of a kindergarten worker who died saving her young students from an out-of-control truck says she was the “light of our lives”, as tributes flow from friends and colleagues.

Police are investigating after a 68-year-old driver, suspected of suffering a medical episode, veered his water tanker off the road and ploughed into the preschool’s playground, north-west of Melbourne, on Monday.

Eleanor Bryant, a 43-year-old speech pathologist who worked at the kindergarten, died at the scene, while a three-year-old boy was taken to the Royal Children’s hospital.

In a statement, her family said they were devastated by the loss of “our beautiful Eleanor”.

“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,” the family said on Tuesday.

“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.”

They thanked emergency services for their work.

The 43-year-old speech pathologist died after saving the lives of children at the Riddells Creek preschool. Photograph: James Ross/AAP

In an emotional tribute, Nine’s Today Show presenter Alex Cullen described his childhood friend as “a light that lit up every room and never had a bad word to say about anyone”.

“There are people in this world who you can’t quite believe are so kind, so generous, so wonderful and caring,” he said.

“Eleanor Bryant, or EJ, as she was to us, was one of those people.”

He said the community was hurting after Bryant’s death.

“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.

“We will miss you, Eleanor and thank you for everything you gave us.”

She was an accomplished speech pathologist who grew up in Coonamble in central-western New South Wales, and leaves behind a husband, 11-year-old son and nine-year-old daughter.

A boy hurt in the accident was treated for an arm injury which ambulance officials said was not life-threatening.

The truck driver was also taken to hospital and is helping police with the investigation.

The Victorian police commissioner, Shane Patton, on Tuesday said the driver remained under hospital observation and would be interviewed once he medically cleared.

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.

No charges have been laid.

Det Sen Sgt Christian Von Tunk said initial investigations led them to believe the truck lost control on a bridge about 120 metres from the Macedon Ranges Montessori preschool in Riddells Creek.

“It’s a tragic set of circumstances which actually could have been a lot worse,” he said on Monday. “This is one of those close calls and I don’t know how only one person has died.”

The local basketball club also paid tribute to their equipment and uniform coordinator.

“Riddells Creek Basketball Club are devastated to learn of the passing of one of our own,” the club said in a Facebook post.

“Eleanor was the most kind, thoughtful and funny friend.

“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.”

McKenzie Water’s owner, Alan McKenzie, confirmed the truck belonged to his company.

“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.

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 the Auburn South primary school in Melbourne’s east.