Ian Pullen was living his dream as a helicopter pilot when he was hit and killed by a motorist near Singleton.
The New Zealander had been in the Hunter for just one day, ready to assist the region in its bushfire season as a Rural Fire Service water bomber.
Just after 5.30am on Saturday 29 September 2018, emergency services were called to Carrington Street at Glenridding after the 43-year-old’s body was located on the side of the road.
Tomorrow marks two years since that tragic morning.
At the time, detectives from Hunter Valley Police District formed Strike Force Awabakil to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr Pullen’s death.
Hunter Valley Police District Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Matthew Zimmer told the media today police are following a new lead after recently receiving an anonymous call about the crime.
“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.
“We do have information to indicate the occupants of that car returned to the scene and got out of the vehicle and approached Mr Pullen while he was still alive.
“We are very interested in the movements of those individuals after they exited the car and ask that anonymous caller to make contact with us again as there is information we need to clarify with them.”
A $350,000 reward is on offer for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Mr Pullen’s death.
Mr Pullen was a family man. He leaves behind his parents, wife, and three children in New Zealand.
“They’re really struggling at the moment,” Det Insp Zimmer said.
“We have spoken to the family this morning, they are aware of the appeal we are making this morning and they want us to pass on to the community how they are struggling.
“He has a 23-year-old son, a 22-year-old son, and a 15-year-old daughter and they’re going through a really tough time at the moment.
“Tomorrow is the second anniversary (of Mr Pullen’s death), and we’re appealing to members of the community to think of that family, think of those children without their dad, to come forward to help us with this investigation.
“He was here to help us out, he’d been here one day and this tragic incident occurred, it’s only right that people who know something help us give back to that family and give them some answers.”
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Awabakil investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.
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