KEY POINTS:
A New Zealand father of two was knocked down and killed by an out-of-control vehicle in Sydney's west while celebrating his cousin's 21st birthday.
Shane Hau, 42, from the Northland town of Moerewa, died early on Saturday in Bankstown Hospital after being struck by a car with a learner driver behind the wheel.
The driver, 20, was charged with failing to stop after a collision occasioning death and failing to submit to a breath test. He was refused bail and was to appear in Parramatta Bail Court yesterday.
It is alleged the driver ran from the scene and was caught by a member of the police dog search unit.
Local residents told the Sunday Telegraph cars had been drag racing in the area immediately before Mr Hau was struck while crossing the street.
He was attending his cousin Tui Konene's 21st birthday party, relatives said.
Police and ambulance officials were called to the suburb of Georges Hall at 1.30am Saturday, but Mr Hau died in hospital soon after arrival.
Mr Hau was the father of a 14-year-old boy and 9-year-old girl, and was head trainer of Sydney metropolitan women's rugby league club side the Cabramatta Two Blues, which won the A-grade final two weeks ago.
His wife, Brenda, was a player in the team.
About 80 friends and relatives gathered to remember him on Saturday night. "You couldn't find a nicer man. He was there for the girls 100 per cent. Nothing was a problem," Julie Morris, the manager of the league club, told the Sydney Morning Herald website.
Mr Hau's brother-in-law, Kiri Barber, said they grew up together in Moerewa. "He has a large family that resides here in Australia and some who still live in Moerewa," he said. "[He was a] father figure, vibrant and so full of life."
Family members intend returning his body to New Zealand for burial.
- NZPA
