A tragic incident occurred in Wembley, Perth, where an elderly man lost his life after being struck by a vehicle while returning home from a nearby supermarket. The event unfolded last night, and local authorities are actively searching for the driver who fled the scene.
CCTV footage captured the man, carrying a shopping bag in each hand, as he approached a pedestrian crossing. Witnesses reported hearing a disturbing thud moments later. One local, who had previously exchanged greetings with the man, rushed to assist him and found him lying injured on Herdsman Parade at about 6:25 PM.
Another resident, David Hankin, also came to the victim’s aid and noted that a couple of doctors happened to be nearby and tried to help. “It’s pretty upsetting,” Hankin expressed, emphasising the road’s frequent use by families and children in the community.
The impact of the collision scattered the man’s groceries and personal items across the road. Emergency services quickly transported him to Royal Perth Hospital, but he sadly succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival.
Detectives have been scouring the surrounding area for security footage in hopes of identifying the vehicle involved and tracing the driver. The poignant reality is that the victim was only a short distance from his home when the accident occurred. Neighbours described him as a gentle and kind-hearted man who lived alone, with family residing in other parts of Australia.
Hankin poignantly remarked, “There’s obviously a family out there who are grieving at the moment,” urging a swift resolution to the case. Major crash investigators are appealing to anyone with dashcam footage from the area at the time of the incident to come forward.
This unfortunate event highlights the need for increased safety and vigilance on the roads, particularly for vulnerable pedestrians.