$350k reward

An A$350,000 reward for information that will lead to the finding of a hit-and-run driver who killed New Zealand man Ian Pullen has been offered by the New South Wales Government.

And as officers work to solve the tragedy, Pullen’s heartbroken mother has also opened up on the “hell” she and her family have endured over the past year.

Pullen, 43, died after being hit by a car in the Hunter region a year ago today.

He was visiting Australia as a firefighter at the start of the Hunter region’s bushfire season.

About 5.35am on September 29, 2018, emergency services were called to Carrington St, Glenridding, after his body was found on the side of the road.

Police inquiries revealed he had been struck and killed by a car. Police say the driver then fled the scene “without rendering assistance”.

On Friday, the NSW Government announced the reward for any information which leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Hunter Valley Police district crime manager, Detective Acting Inspector Steve Benson, said Pullen’s family and loved ones in New Zealand deserve answers about what happened.

“Someone in the community knows something, and we’re urging them to speak up. We want to provide the Pullen family with closure.”

Members of Pullen’s family — including his mother Gill — made a trip across the Tasman ahead of today’s anniversary of his death.

“We never thought the last time we said goodbye would actually be the last,” she said.

Pullen was a father of three and died just days before he was to celebrate his 24th wedding anniversary. His wife, Vicki, described the hit and run driver as “a coward”.