Police are appealing to the conscience of the mystery caller who rang about a New Zealand firefighter who was left to die on the side of a road in the NSW Hunter region nearly two years ago.
Police say the heartbroken family of Ian Pullen deserve to know what happened to their loving son, husband and father who had selflessly come to Australia to help locals battle raging bushfires.
Around 5.30am on September 29, 2018, emergency services were called to Carrington Street at Glenridding, after a man's body was found on the roadside.
Strike Force Awabakil was formed to investigate and investigators now believe Mr Pullen was struck by a car between 4am and 5.30am that day.
An anonymous call made to police indicated that the car returned to the scene of the accident and the occupants got out and checked on Mr Pullen, while he was still alive.
Hunter Valley Police District Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Matthew Zimmer on Monday reminded the community that a $350,000 reward remained on offer for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for Mr Pullen's death.
"Ian Pullen had come to the region to help the community battle a bushfire threat and to think that someone struck him with their vehicle and left him to die is abhorrent," Det Insp Zimmer said.
"An anonymous tip-off has led investigators to believe the driver of the vehicle knew they had struck someone, and police are interested in their movements after exiting the car.
"We are appealing for that caller to come forward and speak with investigators so we can continue to piece together exactly what happened on that tragic morning.
"It's been nearly two years since Mr Pullen's death, and we want to provide some answers for his heart-broken family. They need to know what happened to their loving son, husband and father," Det Insp Zimmer said.
Australian Associated Press
