THE heartbroken family of a Hexham man are appealing for help to track down his killer, 25 years on from his death.

On the afternoon of August 31, 1991, Charles Trueman became the victim of a fatal hit and run.

Charles’s family are still seeking answers and have issued a heartfelt plea for information.

The 83-year-old was mowed down in Hexham town centre at 5pm as he walked home from visiting his daughter’s grave.

The incident happened close to the junction with Dean Street and Loosing Hill.

The World War Two veteran was flung in the air by the impact and was left with severe head injuries. The father-of-seven later died at Hexham General Hospital. He is buried at Hexham Cemetery.

A blue Metro car was seen leaving the scene immediately after the incident.

There were also sightings of a large dark saloon style car that officers believed would have had to swerve to avoid the collision. That vehicle also left the scene before the police arrived.

But sadly in 25 years no eye witnesses have come forward.

Daughter, Elaine O’Neil (56) says the incident changed her family’s lives overnight.

The mum-of-two said: “My mum was never the same woman. She died 10 years later but it wasn’t a happy 10 years. I would like to bring my dad some justice because that was not a nice way to end a very good life.

“Deep down it’s always bubbling away under the surface with no resolution and no answers. Hexham is a relatively small town and I’m convinced someone knows exactly what occurred and who was responsible. We would be extremely grateful for any information that could help us understand the true course of events on that fateful day – this is not about finding someone to blame.”

Charles, who served at Dunkirk, was a retired gardener and well-known figure in the town. A member of the Conservative Club, he also served as assistant starter at Hexham Racecourse for many years.

Elaine’s sister, Carole, added: “It seems such an injustice that someone is walking around, knowing what happened, unwilling to come forward.”

Northumbria Police said they would welcome any new evidence on the incident.

PC Derek Longstaff, of the dedicated Motor Patrols team, said: “There is not much to go on and we know it will be difficult to be able to trace those involved that day but we will fully investigate any new leads that may bring some closure to those close to Charles.

“One thing we do know is that a man rang Hexham Hospital the evening of the incident to check on Charles’s condition.

“We would appeal directly to that person to get in touch with us. Somebody also called the hospital to arrange for an ambulance to attend the scene following the incident. We do not know whether this was the same person but they should do the right thing and call police.”

Anyone with any information about the incident should contact police on 101 ext 62585 and request to speak to the Operation Dragoon team.