The widow of a Kiwi helicopter pilot killed in a suspected hit and run in Australia has described the driver as a gutless coward.
Ian Pullen was in New South Wales to fight bushfires in the Hunter Valley and was off duty when he was mown down crossing the road in the early hours of Saturday.
There's anger from the family grieving for a lost husband, son and father.
"He should be at home here and he's not," Vicki Pullen, Ian's widow, told 1 NEWS.
Police believe Mr Pullen was a victim of a hit and run, struck down not 50 metres from where he was staying.
"We're still waiting for the outcome of some post mortem examinations that may assist in our determining at least the size of vehicle," Inspector Rob Post of Hunter Valley Police said.
Ms Pullen said: "They're a coward, they're gutless."
Ian Pullen's job as a firefighting pilot was dangerous and unpredictable.
But he loved the work, even though it took him away from Taumarunui to a small town in New South Wales.
"He was there to keep Singleton safe in case a bushfire broke out, and just save people's lives and their houses," his widow said.
Mr Pullen's friend, Phil Janssen, says the 44-year-old had survived narrow scrapes, including one in a helicopter that burnt in a forest while Ian was flying it.
"So he dodged a bullet there. That was last year and so he went back to Aussie fighting fires."
Inspector Post said police have asked anyone who might have dashcam footage from driving in the area in the early hours of Saturday to come forward, because that may provide further information.
And on what should have been her 24th wedding anniversary Vicki Pullen made an appeal to the driver and witnesses.
"Come forward, admit what you've done. Somebody knows something," she said.
Ms Pullen is preparing to fly to Australia to bring her man home.
SHARE ME