Lake Illawarra Police have called for assistance after the incident and a friend of the victim has appealed for the perpetrator(s) to own up to the crime which he said left his friend lucky to be alive. 

About 8pm on Tuesday the victim, a 24-year-old Kiama Downs man, was walking in a westerly direction along Panama Street.

He was on the left-hand side of the road near the guard rail when he noticed a white sedan heading east past him.  

The victim continued walking and a couple of minutes later he heard a car coming from behind, turned to his left to look and was impacted by the same white car on his left leg. 

The impact caused the victim to fall onto the left front side of the car, hitting the bonnet before falling forward and hitting his forehead on the guard rail and then falling onto the road. 

The driver of the car failed to stop and continued driving in a westerly direction before turning right onto Riverside Drive. 

After being picked up by his mother, the man suffered a seizure when he got home.

He was taken to Wollongong Hospital where he received treatment. He has since been released.

The victim wished to remain anonymous. 

Police canvassed the area and searched for the vehicle, described as an older white Hyundai accent four-door hatch with green P-Plates and grey patches of undercoat along the driver’s side door, with possible damage on the front left from impact with the pedestrian.

The driver is described as being of possibly European in appearance, dark hair, tanned skin and no shirt. 

The passenger is described as possibly being of European in appearance, dark hair, tanned skin, unshaven with stubble and no shirt. 

Lake Illawarra Local Area Command’s community safety officer Sergeant Jason Harrison said investigations were continuing.

‘‘(The victim) heard laughter when they drove off, which would indicate that they were obviously aware they did it, and that there was no conscious effort to stop and render assistance, exchange particulars or see if he’s alright,’’ he said.

‘‘That just suggests that they were obviously aware they did it.’’

Sergeant Harrison urged anyone with information which may assist the investigation to come forward.

‘‘The car’s very distinctive, someone’s got to know... Green P-Plates, undercoat on the car, that undercoat paint,’’ he said.

‘‘That’s real distinctive; that narrows it down to a car. 

‘‘Someone knows - a neighbour knows, someone knows.

‘‘At this stage, there’s no indication to suggest that this was any sort of retribution or a targeted incident.’’

One of the victim’s friends, Kiama resident Trent Watson appealed to whoever was responsible to own up to their crime. Mr Watson was not present at the time of the accident.

‘‘He’s shook up about it,’’ Mr Watson said.

‘‘He’s still really stung that it even happened local(ly), like in Kiama, after all the robberies and everything else we’ve had in town, that was all over the Facebook pages. 

‘‘He’s going through a bit of stress and drama in his life, came out of a relationship, called me, said he was going to Bombo for a walk... People drove past staring at him, then they did a u-turn and came back, just clipped him, buckled him over the bonnet.

‘‘Then (he went) over onto the barrier and smacked his head.’’ 

Mr Watson said shortly after the victim arrived home he suffered a seizure. ‘‘He’s okay, but he’s still shook up about it.

‘‘If anyone knows anything, please speak up.

‘‘He’s a good friend of mine, a good friend to a lot of the locals.

‘‘I really hope whoever’s done it comes forward... He’s lucky to be alive.’’ 

Anyone with any information should contact Lake Illawarra Police Station on 42325599, Crime Stoppers on 1800333000 or the Police Assistance Line (PAL) on 131444.