A German immigrant has died after being knocked unconscious with one punch by a man riding a moped on the sidewalk outside a Hell’s Kitchen bar, police said Monday.
Florian Oltmann, 38, died at Bellevue Hospital Friday, three days after he and a friend were knocked out during an argument with the moped rider.
Oltmann and the other victim, a 56-year-old man here on business from Illinois, left Rudy’s Bar & Grill on Ninth Ave. near W. 43rd St. and were walking towards their awaiting Uber when the moped rider bumped into the older victim, bumping him with his arm.
That sparked an argument and the moped driver quickly circled back and began arguing with the two men, cops said. During the exchange, he punched the older victim in the face, knocking him unconscious, cops said.
Oltmann, who had tried to intervene to prevent the assault, was also punched in the face, cops said. The force of the blow sent him reeling backward onto the sidewalk, smacking the back of his head on the concrete.
The other victim was taken to Mount Sinai West, where he was treated and released.
The attacker took off and is still being sought. He’s described as Black and about 5-foot-10 with black hair pulled back into a braid. He was wearing a white T-shirt and black pants with a white stripe running down the leg.
Cops released surveillance footage of the suspect last week and are asking the public’s help identifying and tracking him down.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.
