Melonba hit-and-run: Elderly grandfather visiting Australia left for dead in Sydney’s west as manhunt for alleged driver continues
An elderly grandfather who was out late at night visiting family in Australia was left for dead after he was struck by a driver who failed to stop. It was reported that the driver had driven on.
The search continues for the driver of a purple coupe who struck Nepalese national Damodor Shrestha, 79, on Abell Road in Melonba, near Blacktown in Sydney’s west, at around 11.15pm on Sunday.
The grandfather, who was reportedly hit from behind, was subsequently not noticed by several passing cars.
Emergency services were called to the scene at around 11.45pm after two passing motorists saw the injured grandfather lying on the side of the road and called 000.
But then it was too late to save Mr. Shrestha.
A few hours earlier, he attended a dinner celebrating his daughter’s 25th wedding anniversary.
Sagun Shrestha later broke her silence on the tragedy, describing her father’s death as “absolutely devastating”.
“He was a loving father, husband and an inspiration to his grandchildren,” she said Nine news.
Damodor Shrestha, 79, (pictured) was killed in a suspected hit-and-run on Sunday evening
Police have released images of the purple coupe (pictured) that allegedly hit the grandfather and failed to stop
“He always took care of us.”
Ms Shrestha also urged the driver to surrender himself.
New South Wales police issued a public appeal on Monday and released images of the coupe in the hope that witnesses would come forward.
Detective Inspector Michael Walsh described the alleged collision as a “brazen act”.
‘[The vehicle is] “The front end is probably damaged, especially the headlight and the windshield,” he said.
The section of the street where Mr Shrestha died has no sidewalk, forcing residents to walk on the road.
“I fear for my life walking up and down this road. It’s scary between trucks and cars and weaving between parked cars is dangerous. I’m scared,” said resident Lisa Sampson.
Passing motorists (filmed on CCTV rendering assistance) finally spotted the grandfather lying on the side of the road and called emergency services.
Another neighbour, Srikanth, said locals were always afraid that “something bad would happen” due to the lack of footpaths.
Karan Nagir blamed the poor infrastructure and roads in the area where new houses are being built.
Blacktown City Council announced on Monday that work will begin on a footpath on Abell Road, the street where Mr Shrestha died.
Anyone with information about the alleged collision is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.