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'Hero' pilot in Australia to help fight bushfires killed in hit-and-run

A hero helicopter pilot has been left to die in the middle of the road after he was struck by a hit-and-run driver in NSW’s Hunter region.

Ian Pullen, from New Zealand, was in Australia to help the Rural Fire Service fight bushfires.

Now his family is preparing to fly here to collect his body as police try to find his killer.

He was mowed down while crossing the road between 4am and 5.30am on Saturday at Carrington Street in Glenridding, more than 200 kilometres north of Sydney.

The driver of the vehicle who struck Mr Pullen failed to stop.

Ian Pullen died on Saturday in a hit-and-run in NSW’s Hunter region. Source: 7News
Ian Pullen died on Saturday in a hit-and-run in NSW’s Hunter region. Source: 7News
Ian Pullen was mowed down on Carrington Street in Glenridding in NSW.
Investigators work at the scene where Mr Pullen was struck by the car. Source: NSWPF

Emergency services were called when his body was discovered on the side of the road, but he could not be saved.

The 44-year-old has since been described as a “humble hero” as his wife reflected on his selfless personality.

“He was there to keep Singleton safe in case a bushfire broke out and just to save people’s lives,” Vicki Pullen said.

The father-of-three was a water bombing pilot who had sacrificed time in New Zealand with his family to help NSW’s Rural Fire Service.

Ian Pullen's wife Vicki is now flying to Australia to bring her husband back to New Zealand after the hit-and-run.
Mr Pullen’s wife, Vicki, labelled the driver a “coward”. Source: 7News

Mr Pullen was due to celebrate his 24th wedding anniversary with his wife on Monday.

Instead she is now flying to Australia to collect her husband’s body.

Crash investigators are now working to find out what happened as police look to locate the motorist.

“He’s a coward. Gutless,” Ms Pullen said of the driver who hit her husband.

Police have urged anyone with dashcam footage from the area on Saturday morning to hand it in while they believe the key to identifying the driver may lie in a damaged vehicle.

“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.