The family of the Taumarunui pilot who died in a hit-and-run in Australia will travel to Australia on Thursday to retrieve his body.
Helicopter pilot and water bomber Ian Pullen, 44, was struck by a car on Saturday morning in Glenridding, 200km north of Sydney. He was in Australia to help fight bush fires.
![Pilot Ian Pullen, pictured with wife Vicki, was killed in a hit and run in NSW while in Australia helping with bushfire fighting efforts in the Hunter Region.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/OQ34LZ37RWSSA3CBGRT7KL6HIM.png?auth=fdd71a7ae4aeb1ff40149b089f7b22943a52345048f37b421c04a8e597fa2deb&width=16&height=13&quality=70&smart=true)
Pullen - a father-of-three who was set to celebrate his 24th wedding anniversary on Monday - was crossing the road when he was hit at speed.
Police are now searching for the hit-and-run driver who failed to stop after the collision.
Pullen was in Australia to help with the rural fire efforts in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, 7 News reported.