THE BEAT: Kmart stabbing, Tasman Highway crash, Flinders clean up after 10,000 litre diesel spill

A man has briefly fronted a Hobart court charged with the attempted murder of a friend outside Kmart. LATEST >>

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Wounding outside Kmart, Hobart

Update: 6pm Thursday, April 13: A KINGSTON man has briefly fronted a Hobart court charged with the attempted murder of a friend outside Kmart New Town.

Joshua Harrison, 27, appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court on Thursday and did not enter a plea or apply for bail.

He was remanded in custody by Magistrate Chris Webster, to reappear on May 6.

Previously, Tasmania Police alleged Mr Harrison and a 24-year-old man had been drinking alcohol on a bench outside Kmart on Wednesday when a “disagreement” broke out.

Detective Inspector Michael Smith said it was alleged the perpetrator pulled out a knife and stabbed the 24-year-old multiple times in the chest and shoulders before horrified onlookers.

The man continues to receive medical treatment, and as of Thursday afternoon, remained in a critical condition at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

“This was an incident between these particular men. We don’t know the circumstances, but it was very much isolated even though it was a public place,” Inspector Smith said.

“There were quite a number of people around doing their Easter shopping and a lot of pedestrian traffic in the area, so this is concerning.”

Bench near the entrance to Kmart. Stabbing overnight at New Town Plaza New Town. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Earlier: 12pm Thursday, April 13: A 24-year-old man remains in critical condition at Royal Hobart Hospital after he was allegedly stabbed by a friend over an argument outside the New Town K-Mart on Wednesday.

Detective Inspector Michael Smith alleged the 24-year-old and 27-year-old had been drinking alcohol on a bench when a heated “disagreement” broke out.

It culminated in the 27-year-old allegedly pulling out a knife and stabbing the 24-year-old multiple times in the chest and shoulder in front of horrified shoppers.

Police charged the 27-year-old Kingston man with attempted murder on Thursday.

Inspector Smith said police were still investigating the exact nature of the disagreement which led up to the stabbing.

Inspector Smith said they expected to conclude their investigations on Thursday.

He assured members of the public that they were at no further risk, and that this had been a dispute between two friends.

“This was an incident between these particular men. We don’t know the circumstances, but it was very much isolated even though it was a public place,” he said.

“There was quite a number of people around doing their Easter shopping and a lot of pedestrian traffic in the area, so this is concerning.

“We’re currently working through inquiries at the moment that includes talking to eyewitnesses, so if anyone is another witness that we haven’t spoken to, we’d encourage them to come forward.”

Police say they were informed by the hospital that the 24-year-old was in a critical, but stable condition.

EARLIER: Wednesday, April 13

One man is receiving medical treatment following a wounding outside the New Town Kmart.

A man has been taken into police custody with emergency services still at the scene.

Tasmania Police are investigating the incident and have reassured that it was an isolated incident and there is no risk to the public.

More to come.

Serious crash, Falmouth

Wednesday, April 13

A person has been airlifted to the Royal Hobart Hospital by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter with serious injuries following a horrific two car crash on the Tasman Highway at Falmouth.

Emergency services remain at the scene after they were called to the accident around 4:30pm.

Two other people from another vehicle received minor injuries in the crash and are being treated at St Helens Hospital.

Access to the Tasman Highway is currently blocked between the Chain of Lagoons and Falmouth with all traffic being diverted through Elephant Pass to St Marys.

Workplace accident, Geilston Bay

Wednesday, April 13

A 32-year-old man has been transported to the Royal Hobart Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries following a workplace accident at Gielston Bay this afternoon.

Tasmania Police and WorkSafe were called to the scene at Clinton Road around 5:30pm and are investigating the incident.

Cleaning underway after diesel spill on Flinders Island

Wednesday, April 13

TasPorts has revealed 10,000 litres of diesel spilled onto land at Lady Barron on Flinders Island after an incident with an independently owned fuel container.

The fuel trailer parked in the port precinct and failed resulting in the spill.

A containment area was formed around the site.

“TasPorts has mobilised specialist employees to Flinders Island to lead the spill response

and is continuing to actively monitor the surrounding coastal environment for any potential

evidence of marine contamination,” TasPorts chief executive officer Anthony Donald said.

Lady Barron on Flinders Island. Picture: PATRICK GEE

Mr Donald said the focus was now on removing the diesel from the surface of the ground.

He said planning was also underway to clean up contaminated soil.

“As an appropriate contingency, TasPorts is deploying an oil spill on-water boom whilst

teams on the ground focus on creating diversion trenches around the surrounding area to

mitigate any contamination from reaching the coastline,” he said.

“TasPorts is working with relevant agencies as part of the response, including the

Environmental Protection Authority, as well as the owner of the fuel container in

relation to the incident.”

E-scooter crackdown, Launceston

Tuesday, April 12

Some e-scooter riders are repeatedly breaking the rules, according to Tasmania Police.

Authorities carried out a targeted operation in Launceston last weekend and detected 16 e-scooter riders who were either failing to wear an approved helmet, or carrying another passenger.

Tasmania Police issued infringement notices to the 16 riders.

Before the weekend sting, some 37 northern district infringement notices had been issued to e-scooter users since the 12 month trial introduction of the transport option began in December.

Thirty-five of those notices were issued to people who had failed to wear helmets.

E-scooters have become a popular, green travel mode for many in Hobart and Launceston.

JOY RIDE: A young man rides an e-scooter through the New Town Plaza Kmart. Picture: Supplied.

But authorities have had to respond to a number of incidents, one of which involved a youth who evaded police on an e-scooter in January and was subsequently convicted.

Police also charged a man for being drunk and in charge of a vehicle following an e-scooter incident in the city.

Sergeant Stuart Greenwood reminded Tasmanians to comply with rules for e-scooter and personal mobility device use when it came to using roads and footpaths.

“Some riders may not be fully aware of their obligations or the rules around e-scooter use, and I encourage all users to educate themselves prior to using one of these devices,” Sergeant Greenwood said.

Generic Tasmania Police car. Picture: Patrick Gee

“The most common offences we observe are riders failing to wear helmets, carrying a passenger and using these devices when drunk.”

Police said more targeted operations were in store for Launceston as part of a broader education and safety campaign.

Members of the public are asked to report any offences they may witness to police on 131 444 or directly to the e-scooter operators.

Tasmania Police said scooters were fitted with registration plates, to assist with identifying and banning riders.

Crackdown on unlawful trail bike riding, Glenorchy

Tuesday, April 12

Several people have been charged following a crackdown on the unlawful use of minibikies, trailbikes and motorised pushbikes in Glenorchy.

A number of youths have recently been caught by Tasmania Police for dangerous riding and have been charged with a number of public order, traffic and environmental related offences.

Inspector John Ward said an increase in dangerous riding behaviours on streets, off-road areas and near homes had been reported and that a number of bikes had been seized.

“In an effort to reduce these issues, we will continue to undertake high visibility and covert policing to identify and apprehend offenders,” Inspector Ward said.

Inspector John Ward. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE.

“We’re using a range of resources to target these unlawful and anti-social behaviours, including drones, which can track movements and identify addresses and locations of interest,” he said.

“Riders often wear helmets and in most cases the bike is unregistered, which is why we rely heavily on information from the public to help us identify offenders.”

Anyone with information including dashcam or home surveillance footage of unlawful use of trailbikes is being urged to come forward to Glenorchy police or call 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au.

Information can be provided anonymously.