"She was the light of our lives": Family's tribute to hero kindergarten teacher
Eleanor Bryant, 43, put herself in harm's way to save preschoolers from a water tanker that crashed into the Macedon Ranges Montessori Pre-School in Riddells Creek on Tuesday.
Now, the mother-of-two and speech pathologist has been remembered for her caring and down-to-earth nature by her family.
Bryant's husband and his two young kids expressed their grief in a statement, saying they were "devastated by the loss".
"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 statement read.
"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.
"We thank the emergency services for their tireless work and the public for their beautiful tributes.
"We will miss her like crazy. We thank you for respecting our privacy at this difficult time."
Bryant has also been remembered for the impact she has made as a speech pathologist, with mum Becky Burton thanking her for changing her daughter Milla's life.
"I've never met someone that was so engaging, so down to earth, so caring and would do whatever it took [to make sure Milla was happy]," Burton said.
"[She was] the most beautiful mum and person just taken so tragically."
Bryant tragically died at the scene after the crash, while a three-year-old boy was injured and taken to the Royal Children's Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries to his arm.
He remains in hospital and is in a stable condition.
The driver of the truck was also taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition after the "experienced 68-year-old driver is understood to have suffered a medical episode".
Parents and family members have since visited the kindergarten and laid flowers and cards as a tribute to Bryant.
Family friend Walter Lucas held back tears as he remembered the beloved mother-of-two, saying: "She saved that kid's life.That kid is now going to go off and live their whole life. For her to take her life for that kid, she is more than a hero.
"She's a superhero."
Clinton Zammit, whose children went to the kindergarten, described the situation as "really sad".
"I feel sorry for the woman who lost her life, her kids waking up today and having no mother. An unsung hero to push away kids and not care about anything else but the kids.
"It hits home when my kids used to come here and there are other families involved.
"We are a close-knit community, we are small but have big hearts and this will affect the community for a while."
The pre-school is expected to remain closed for the coming weeks, and ongoing counselling has been offered onsite.
Images: Nine