Vehicle crash near preschool

A person has been killed and a child injured after a truck crashed into a preschool in regional Victoria.

The crash happened about 2.20pm on Monday near the Macedon Ranges Montessori Preschool in the town of Riddells Creek.

The owner of the trucking company whose vehicle crashed into the school said the driver suffered a medical incident.

“It’s believed at this early stage a truck collided with a kindergarten on Main Road around 2.20pm,” Victoria Police said in a statement.

“One adult, who is yet to be formally identified, has died at the scene.

“A child was injured and has been taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

“The driver of the truck has also been taken to hospital for observation. The exact circumstances are being investigated.”

“A child was transported by road ambulance to Royal Children’s Hospital with an upper body injury in a stable condition,” Ambulance Victoria said in a statement.

“One person was transported by road ambulance to Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition.”

The truck involved belongs to McKenzie Water. Owner Alan McKenzie said the 68-year-old driver of the vehicle had a medical episode.

“We are in shock and offer our heartfelt condolences to everyone involved,” he said in a statement.

“As a small, family-owned business, we are devastated following the tragic crash … this is an incredibly distressing time, and our deepest sympathies go to those involved and their families and friends.

“Sadly, one person has lost their life, and a child has been injured.

“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. We thank staff and emergency workers who responded. We are assisting authorities with their investigations.

“McKenzie Water has been operating in Melbourne and Victoria for 40 years, and our priority has always been safety and compliance.”

Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas said it was “a terrible incident”

“Our thoughts are with the family of the victims and the broader Riddells Creek community,” she said.

“We thank our first responders who are on scene investigating and helping those injured.”

The incident comes less than a fortnight after an 11-year-old boy was killed when a car crashed into a Melbourne schoolyard.

Jack Davey died after the accident at Auburn South Primary School on Tooronga Rd in Hawthorn East on October 29.

Three girls – two aged 11 and one aged 10 – as well as a 10-year-old boy were also taken to hospital with serious injuries.