Police say they are looking for a driver involved in the alleged hit-and-run death of a 79-year-old man in Sydney.
On Sunday, 30 June, around 11:20 pm, emergency services were called to Abell Road, Melonba, after reports of an injured man located roadside.
The man, later identified as Damodar Shrestha, was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics but died at the scene.
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'All my mother wants is an apology, we do not need anything else': Nepali parent dies in alleged crash
SBS Nepali
06:00
Image of the vehicle believed by police to be involved in the crash. Credit: Supplied/NSW Police
His daughter Sagun Shrestha said that her mother and elder daughter went out to search for him after he did not return for more than half an hour.
"I had already gone to bed as I had work early morning the next day. My mother and elder daughter woke me up saying baa [grandfather] has not returned home," she told SBS Nepali.
"My elder daughter called me after a while and told me about the incident, which had happened not very far from our home."
I am still not able to process what happened. All we want is to know who did it. All my mother wants is an apology, we do not need anything else.Sagun Shrestha
Shrestha said the place where the incident occurred does not have a footpath and is risky with vehicles passing at high speed.
"My father has always been a fit and physically active person, regularly walking and cycling. I had often told my father to avoid that road as it is very risky," she said.
Blacktown City Council Mayor Brad Bunting released a statement on Monday expressing his sympathies.
He extended his "deepest sympathy and the condolences of Blacktown City Council to the Melonba family".
The statement further mentioned that the council has been in contact with residents regarding the building of a footpath on Abell Road, and advised that construction was scheduled to begin soon.
Community support
Anil Pokhrel, the president of the peak Nepali body, Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), said the firm is willing to support the family when needed.
"We will support the family as and when needed," he told SBS Nepali.
"Apart from this, we also need to discuss about what can be done on advocating traffic rules for parents visiting Australia from Nepal."
NSW Police have released images of a small dark coloured sedan or coupe they believe can assist with inquiries into the fail to stop crash.
Police are urging anyone who may have information, dashcam footage from the area or who may have witnessed the incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
