New York, April 2 (IANS) An elderly Sikh man was killed in a hit-and-run accident while crossing a road on Long Island here.

Gurcharan Singh, 77, a counsellor of New York's Sikh community and a part-time teacher with Marymount Manhattan College, was visiting a gurudwara Saturday evening when a car travelling at high speed skipped a red light and struck him.

The resident of Plainview was immediately airlifted to Nassau University Medical Center with multiple fractures and head injuries but did not survive, according to News Channel 4.

"My father was a very selfless man who served his community and society with all his heart, and we'd really love any assistance in finding the individual who did this," said Surinder Singh, the victim's son.

Gurcharan Singh was a professor at Columbia University. He also taught political science and international studies at Marymount Manhattan College for more than three decades.

"He was the gem of our community," said friend Paul Kandhari. "If there was a family problem, he'll be there. If the father and son have a problem, he'll be there," he said.