Sunrise reporter Teegan Dolling chokes back tears as she reveals connection to hero teacher who died in kindergarten tragedy

Some stories hit close to home.

That was the case for Sunrise reporter Teegan Dolling on Tuesday morning, as she choked back tears while reporting on the tragic death of Eleanor Bryant after a water tanker crashed into the Macedon Ranges Montessori Pre-School in Riddells Creek on Monday.

The mother-of-two was moving students to safety when she lost her own life.

Bryant is mum to an 11-year-old boy and nine-year-old girl.

A three-year-old boy was taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital with a serious upper-body injury following the incident, Ambulance Victoria said.

The driver, 68, is thought to have had a medical episode, but police are still investigating.

Dolling told Sunrise she lived in Riddell Creek and heard the sirens yesterday afternoon.

“This is where I live — this is my area,” Dolling said.

“The town, Riddells Creek, has about 4000 people. I was home yesterday when I heard the sirens. When you hear that number of sirens you go, ‘this is not going to be a happy ending’.

“When we came down here last night we saw what was happening and it was absolutely devastating.

“This is on the main road ... Sorry, I’m getting emotional.

“This is on the main road at Riddells Creek. Everyone who drives past sees the school. It will have a huge impact. You always say, ‘it doesn’t happen to me, in my street or my town’. Sadly today, it has.”

Byrant’s family is yet to release a statement following her death.

McKenzie Water owner Alan McKenzie said the truck belonged to his company and 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,” McKenzie 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.

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

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

Detective Senior Sergeant Christian Von Tunk said initial investigations led them to believe the truck lost control on a bridge about 120m from the kindergarten.

“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.”