Police said the man, affectionately known as “Johnny Rotten”, was attempting to cross the road at the Princes Highway intersection of Mitchell and Imlay Streets at around 1.30 pm on Monday afternoon, when he was struck by a Ford Ranger towing a caravan.

John’s wife Linda is by his side, and his son Ky said on Wednesday morning that he had flown over from Western Australia.

“I haven’t seen him yet, but I’ve just flown over from Western Australia and I’m heading there,” Ky said.

“The latest information I know is that he is in an induced coma.

“They tried to bring him out of it (on Tuesday), but it didn’t work.”

John was taken to Bega Hospital on Monday, before being transferred to Canberra Hospital, where he remains in a serious condition.

Leigh Hennessey, Great Southern Inn licensee, witnessed John falling after the collision, and said the keen “Dad’s Army” golfer was knocked unconscious.

“The car has come around the corner, and I think he’s (John) waited for the car, but didn’t see the caravan,” Mr Hennessey said.

“It’s hit him on the arm, and he’s fallen and hit his head on the ground and knocked himself out.

"He was out cold and his breathing was erratic.

“He also had a graze out of his arm, probably about four inches long and a millimetre or two deep, but it wasn’t bleeding at all.

“The paramedics arrived about four or five minutes after it happened.”

The 67-year-old driver of the Ford was breath tested by police at the scene, but returned a negative result.

He was arrested and underwent mandatory blood and urine testing, and was released pending further inquiries.