Police are seeking help from the public for CCTV footage or information relating to the hit and run of Steffan Pearce-Loe, who was hit by a car as he walked his dogs near the Gayhurst Rd bridge in Christchurch, about 2.30am on Thursday. He died overnight on Friday.

A wing mirror found at the scene of an apparent hit-and-run could lead police to the driver.

Steffan Pearce-Loe, aged 30, of Christchurch, was hit by a car as he walked his dogs near the Gayhurst Rd bridge in Christchurch, about 2.30am on Thursday. He died overnight on Friday.

His family has described him as an "adventurous and loving" man.

NZ POLICE Part of a car wing mirror (pictured) could be the key to finding the driver involved in a hit-and-run in Christchurch.

At a press conference on Saturday, Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Cottam said a post mortem showed Pearce-Loe died as a result of a head injury "consistent with being struck by a motor vehicle".

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A preliminary reconstruction of Pearce-Loe's final movements indicated he was crossing the road at the time, but it remained unclear whether he was travelling east-to-west or west-to-east.

DAVID WALKER/STUFF Flowers left at the scene near Gayhurst Rd bridge, where Steffan Pearce-Loe was hit by a car as he walked his dogs in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The vehicle involved would have been travelling north when it hit Pearce-Loe, Cottam said. It was still unclear how fast it was going at the time.

Cottam released a picture of a right-hand wing mirror found at the scene in the hope someone would recognise it. He said police did not know the make or year of the car to which the mirror would have been attached.

"At the moment we're just looking through and seeking public assistance, really, looking for further CCTV footage. We still haven't located that vehicle," Cottam said.

NZ POLICE Police will look to match the wing mirror and other debris left on the scene with a car that has damage to the front and right-hand side.

"Also, we're looking for anybody to come forward who's noticed fresh damage to a vehicle, particularly frontal or perhaps to the right-hand side."

Police had collected a small amount of other debris from the car. Cottam was calling on people in the Dallington, Linwood and Avonside areas to submit any footage they may have of the surrounding area.

Anyone who could identify the car part or had seen a vehicle that might be missing it was asked to contact Detective Sergeant Ben Rolton on (03) 363 7400 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The crash happened near Gayhurst Rd bridge in Christchurch.

Police were also looking for the dogs' leads, and asked anyone who may have seen them to come forward.

Six officers were working on the case, as well as others pulled in to help canvas the area, Cottam said.

"It is possible that the driver may not have seen Pearce-Loe and may have thought they hit a dog or another object on the road. We are urging the driver to come forward and discuss this with police," he said.

"We are working to find answers for the victim's family, and our thoughts are with them at this tragic time.

"There may be a number of reasons for the driver not coming forward but we urge them to do so, so Mr Pearce-Loe's family can have some answers," Cottam said.

He said the family were "struggling to come to terms" with the sudden loss of a member, but were being supported by friends and family.

In a notice on Saturday, Pearce-Loe's family thanked the intensive care unit at Christchurch Hospital and paid tribute to a son, brother, partner and "best mate".

"We will all miss our adventurous and loving man."