Man dies after stabbing incident at service station

UPDATE: Tragic new details have emerged about what occurred before a man was allegedly murdered by a youth at a Blackmans Bay service station.

UPDATE 10.30AM: A Taroona father was allegedly killed by a single stab wound from a complete stranger in front of his family at a Blackmans Bay service station on Sunday.

Detective Inspector Michael Smith said Reid William Ludwig, 41, was returning a hire trailer to the Coles Express on Roslyn Ave.

He said two boys were hanging around the forecourt near the Pearsall Ave entrance before an altercation broke out and one youth allegedly pulled a knife.

About 2.50pm emergency services were called.

“Police will allege that a verbal altercation occurred between Mr Ludwig and one of the youths,” Insp Smith said.

“This led to a very minor physical confrontation which then quickly escalated, and tragically culminated in Mr Ludwig being fatally stabbed.”

Tasmania Police at the Blackmans Bay Coles Express / Shell service station on Roslyn Avenue. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

Insp Smith said Mr Ludwig was with family members at the time of the incident.

Mr Ludwig was initially helped by members of the public and staff at the Coles Express before he was rushed to the Royal Hobart Hospital where he later died.

“The youth was arrested at the scene and later charged by detectives from Hobart and Kingston CIB with one count of murder,” he said.

“Police would like to thank those members of the public who came to the assistance of Mr Ludwig and our condolences are with the man’s family and loved ones at this time.

“As would be expected, they’re quite distraught and grieving the loss of Mr Ludwig.”

Insp Smith said the incident was “concerning”.

“It’s a relatively rare event for Tasmania and particularly down that area,” he said.

“These things are very uncommon — as tragic as it is, it is uncommon.”

Another youth, who has not been charged, is assisting police with their inquiries.

A knife was also recovered from the scene.

EARLIER: A youth has been charged with murder after a man was allegedly stabbed in the stomach at a Blackmans Bay service station.

In a statement late on Sunday night, police said the youth was remanded in custody to appear in court on Monday.

Police said Reid William Ludwig, 41, of Taroona, was the victim.

He died after allegedly being stabbed in the stomach in a daylight incident at the Coles Express service station on Roslyn Ave just before 3pm.

Mr Ludwig was taken by ambulance to the Royal Hobart Hospital but later died.

A 41-year-old man has died after being stabbed in the stomach at a Blackmans Bay service station on Roslyn Avenue. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

“Our thoughts are with the man’s family and loved ones at this difficult time,” police said in a statement.

“Anyone who witnessed the incident who hasn’t already spoken with police should contact Hobart CIB on 131 444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au.”

A crime scene was established at the service station, with uniform, CIB and forensics officers in attendance.

Operations at the service station were disrupted while investigations were carried out.

However the service station was operating as normal by 8pm after forensic officers had finished their assessment of the scene.

There were understood to have been a number of witnesses to the incident.