Kiwi professor on 'Forrest Gump' run across US was on Skype call to wife when hit by truck

Nick Ashill with wife Sarah by his side after the hit and run in Ohio. Photo / via Nick Runs America Facebook

The New Zealander hit by a pickup truck in America was on a Skype call to his wife at the time.

Dr Nick Ashill, who is Professor of Marketing at the American University of Sharjah in the UAE, was 80 days into his marathon journey for charity when he was badly injured in the hit-and-run.

A post on the Facebook page "Nick Runs America" shows Nick reunited with his wife Sarah Ashill who flew to America yesterday to be by his bedside.

The post said Sarah was on a hands-free Skype call to her husband when he was hit by the truck.

"He was flown to hospital where he underwent surgery to reset serious fractures to his right leg and externally stabilise his pelvis."

Ashill is scheduled for more surgery to internally stabilise his pelvis.

"We are very relieved that he has no damage to internal organs and that the bump to his head isn't serious.

"Doctors are happy with the progress he's making, however it looks like we're going to be here a while!"

Ashill started running across America in May to raise money for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust. The charity run started in Los Angeles and was to finish in New York.

US authorities are appealing for witnesses to the incident in Ohio early on Wednesday morning (local time).

US reports said Ashill was running along the westbound lanes on the US Route 40 near the Clark/Madison County line in Somerford Township when he was bowled by a vehicle that did not stop.

Troopers say the truck - believed to be a Chevy or GMC pick-up - may have damage to the right mirror or right side, and are appealing for witnesses to the crash.