Police seek hit-and-run driver over boy

Police have renewed their call for a hit-and-run driver to come forward, after a young victim spent his 10th birthday in hospital with a broken jaw.

The boy, named only as Nethaniel, was sitting on a kerb in North Balgowlah, on Sydney's northern beaches, at 5.20pm (AEST) on March 31 when he was struck by a dark-coloured utility with a male driver.

The vehicle failed to stop and Nethaniel was rushed to hospital suffering fractures to his hands and jaw.

Police appealed for the driver of the vehicle to come forward, saying it was possible he did not realise he had been involved in a crash.

Nethaniel, who had been eating biscuits on the kerb outside a neighbour's house on Serpentine Crescent, spent Easter and his 10th birthday at the Children's Hospital at Westmead with his jaw wired shut and both hands in plaster.

Police said he was "very lucky" to have escaped major injury.

His uncle Stan said it had been a traumatic experience for Nethaniel and the other children who witnessed the crash, including the boy's seven-year-old brother.

"Nethaniel and other children will spend the rest of their lives thinking that someone would have an accident, but not care to help in any way they can," he said.

"I'd like Nethaniel to get an apology, at the minimum.

"His body's been put back together again, but he needs an apology, he needs an explanation."

Senior Sergeant Peter Jenkins, from the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit, said the main aim of investigating officers was to identify the driver and find out what happened.

"The driver may not have even seen the child. It is a very windy section of road, they may have taken the bend too wide," he said.

"It's quite possible that this driver does not know that he has been involved in a collision with Nethaniel."

Police said they were also interested in speaking with the female driver of a black Jeep which was seen in the area soon after the crash.

Witnesses said the blonde-haired woman had a "concerned look on her face" and police believe she may have witnessed the crash herself or its immediate aftermath.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit on 9689 7370 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Discover Agnes Water Queensland
Agnes Water Accommodation

Next Article: Downer wants Sheik Alhilali to go

Previous Article: Man questioned over pedestrian death