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David Thomson, dad of a police officer, identified as cyclist killed in hit-run

Jack PaynterNCA NewsWire
David Thomson and wife Ann. Victoria Police
Camera IconDavid Thomson and wife Ann. Victoria Police Credit: Supplied

A Victorian police officer has described the heartbreaking moment she stumbled on the scene of a hit-run crash that claimed the life of her dad.

Sophie Thomson, a serving police officer, was driving along her usual route to work in Ballarat at 7.30am on Thursday when she came across a crash scene.

Unaware what had happened, she stopped to ask the members attending a crime scene just off La Trobe St to ask if they needed anything.

“It was my usual way to work, I drive past it every day,” she said.

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“A sergeant detective I worked with daily informed me that a cyclist had been hit and killed and the car had failed to stop.”

She was then quickly ushered away and told the devastating news the cyclist was her dad, 60-year-old David Thomson.

Police Presser
Camera IconDavid Thomson with his daughter Sophie Thomson, who is a police officer in Ballarat. NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw Credit: News Corp Australia
David Thomson who died in the hit-run collision at Delacombe with one of his grandchildren Victoria Police
Camera IconDavid Thomson who died in the hit-run collision at Delacombe with one of his grandchildren Victoria Police Credit: Supplied

“My world instantly broke,” Ms Thomson said.

“David was my father, my hero and my absolute rock.

“Dad’s the reason I joined (the police force), I call Dad every Sunday and we have a chat.”

Mr Thomson, who worked in the office of a local concreting company, was riding to work along La Trobe St in Delacombe last Thursday when he was stuck and killed about 5.40am.

Police allege the driver of the car, described as a light-coloured small sporty sedan, took off without stopping to help, leaving Mr Thomson for dead on the side of the road.

Ms Thomson urged the driver to hand himself in.

The car police would like to identify.
Camera IconThe car police would like to identify. Credit: Supplied

“My police family won’t stop looking for you,” she said. “We just need some answers.”

She said her dad was walking and riding to improve his fitness because he “desperately” wanted to keep playing cricket.

“He also needed to keep up with his two grandchildren, Poppy and Slater, who were starting to run rings around him,” Ms Thomson said.

David’s son Dylan said his dad loved cricket and didn’t want to give it up.

“Dad was loved by everybody. He was going back to play competitive cricket again, he was trying to do the right thing by himself, to get on the bike and ride to work, it just shouldn’t happen,” he said.

Police Presser
Camera IconDylan and Sophie Thomson give a tribute to their father David Thomson. NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw Credit: News Corp Australia
David Thomson and wife Ann. Victoria Police
Camera IconDavid Thomson and wife Ann. Victoria Police Credit: Supplied
David Thomson loved playing cricket. Victoria Police
Camera IconDavid Thomson loved playing cricket. Victoria Police Credit: Supplied
Police Presser
Camera IconHe was riding to work when he was struck. NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw Credit: News Corp Australia

“He was just a club man, he wanted to better the club, be around for everybody, he was just a genuine man of the community.”

Major collision investigation unit Detective Senior Constable Sandro Lombardi said police had obtained CCTV that showed the incident.

“The driver cannot say that he was unaware that it happened. There was no breaking, it just left the scene,” he said.

“We believe the vehicle that’s involved will have damage to the bonnet and the windscreen.”

Police have released CCTV of a “vehicle of interest” several hours after the crash while it was still in the Ballarat region.

“David was going about his everyday business riding his bike when he’s been struck by this vehicle and this vehicle has taken off, described to be a silver colour sporty-like vehicle which has left the scene,” Constable Lombardi said.

Police Presser
Camera IconDetective Senior Constable Sandro Lombardi said the car would be damaged. NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw Credit: News Corp Australia

“It’s very hard to comprehend why someone would do that, the natural response is to stop and render assistance.

“We’re appealing to the driver to come forward, they need to speak to police.

“The family, they want closure, they want answers.

“If you have knowledge of this car, please don’t have allegiance to the driver, do the right thing for the family.”

Anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

jack.paynter@news.com.au

Originally published as David Thomson, dad of a police officer, identified as cyclist killed in hit-run

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