Reward For Information On Ian Pullen Death

THE Hunter Valley Police District are offering a $350,000 reward for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the suspicious death of Ian Puller.

At approximately 5:30am on Saturday, September 29 2018, emergency services attended Carrington Street at Glenridding, after receiving an anonymous call about a man’s body located on the side of the road.

The man was later identified as New Zealand firefighter Ian Pullen, aged 43, who had come to the Hunter region to assist with bushfire efforts.

The call made to police indicated that the vehicle involved returned to the scene, where the occupants exited the car and approached Mr Pullen while he was still alive.

Strike Force Awabakil was formed to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr Pullen’s death and it is believed he was struck by a vehicle between 4am and 5.30am that day.

Hunter Valley Police District Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Matthew Zimmer said they are appealing for the anonymous caller to come forward and speak with investigators.

“Ian Pullen had come to the region to help the community battle a bushfire threat and to think that someone struck him with their vehicle and left him to die is abhorrent,” Det Insp Zimmer said.

“An anonymous tip-off has led investigators to believe the driver of the vehicle knew they had struck someone, and police are interested in their movements after exiting the car,” he said.

“It’s been nearly two years since Mr Pullen’s death, and we want to provide some answers for his heart-broken family,” he said.

“They need to know what happened to their loving son, husband and father,” Det Insp Zimmer said.

Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Awabakil investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.

Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.