Melonba hit-and-run: Elderly grandfather visiting Australia left for dead in Sydney's west as manhunt for alleged driver continues
An elderly grandfather out on a late-night run while visiting family in Australia was left for dead after a driver struck him and failed to stop in an alleged hit-and-run.
A manhunt continues the the driver of a purple coupe who hit Nepalese national Damodor Shrestha, 79, on Abell Road in Melonba near Blacktown in Sydney's west sometime after 11.15pm on Sunday.
The grandfather, who was allegedly hit from behind, went unnoticed by several passing cars afterwards.
Emergency services were called to the scene about 11.45pm after two passing motorists noticed the injured grandfather lying on the side of the road and called triple 000.
But by then, it was too late to save Mr Shrestha.
Hours earlier, he attended a dinner celebrating his daughter's 25th wedding anniversary.
Sagun Shrestha later broke her silence over the tragedy and described her father's death as 'absolutely devastating'.
'He was a loving father, husband and source of inspiration to his grandchildren,' she told Nine News.
Damodor Shrestha, 79, (pictured) was killed in an alleged hit and run on Sunday night
Police have released images of the purple coupe (pictured) that allegedly hit the grandfather and failed to stop
'He always looked after us.'
Ms Shrestha also urged the driver to hand themselves.
NSW Police launched a public appeal on Monday and released footage of the coupe in the hope that witnesses will come forward.
Inspector Michael Walsh described the alleged hit-and-run as a 'callous act'.
'[The vehicle is] likely have damage to the front side, particularly to the headlight and its windscreen,' he said.
The section of street where Mr Shrestha died doesn't have a footpath, 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 swerving in between parked cars it's dangerous. I'm scared,' resident Lisa Sampson said.
Passing motorists (captured on CCTV rendering assistance) finally noticed the grandfather lying on the side of the road and called emergency services
Another neighbour Srikanth said that locals always feared that 'something bad is going to happen' because of the lack of footpaths.
Karan Nagir, blamed the lack of infrastructure and roads in the area where construction of new homes is taking place.
Blacktown Council announced on Monday that footpath construction will still start on the Abell Road- the street where Mr Shrestha died.
Anyone with information about the alleged hit-and-run is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
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