A New Zealand pilot who left his family behind to fight bushfires in Australia has been killed in a hit-and-run.
Ian Pullen, 44, was mowed down while crossing the road between 4am and 5:30am on Saturday at Carrington St in Glenridding, about 200km north of Sydney.
The driver of the vehicle fled the scene after knocking Mr Pullen to the ground, 7 News reports.
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Police have begun searching for the perpetrator, and have urged anyone with dashcam footage from the area on Saturday morning to come forward.
"We haven't got a specific vehicle in mind at this stage but certainly there could be damage to the front of a vehicle that may present to a panel beater for repair," Inspector Rob Post said.
Mr Pullen's wife, Vicki Pullen, was preparing to celebrate their 24th wedding anniversary.
She describes her husband a "humble hero", and the driver of the vehicle that hit him "gutless".
Mr Pullen, a water bombing pilot, relocated to Australia from New Zealand to help New South Wales' Rural Fire Service fight bushfires.
His body was discovered on the side of the road and he could not be saved by the time emergency services arrived.
Ms Pullen is travelling to Australia to collect her husband's body.
Newshub.
