Man Dies After Wal-Mart Stampede
A worker died after being trampled by a throng of unruly shoppers when a suburban Wal-Mart opened for the holiday sales rush Friday, authorities said.
At least three other people were injured.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc., in Bentonville, Ark., would not confirm the reports of a stampede but said a "medical emergency" had caused the company to close the store, which is in Valley Stream on Long Island.
Nassau County police said the 34-year-old worker was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at about 6 a.m., an hour after the store opened. The cause of death was not immediately known.
A police statement said shortly after 5 a.m., a throng of shoppers "physically broke down the doors, knocking (the worker) to the ground." Police also said a 28-year-old pregnant woman was taken to a hospital for observation and three other shoppers suffered minor injuries and were also taken to hospitals.
The exact cause of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner's office, detectives said.
The dead worker's name was not released.
"Local authorities are looking into the situation," said Wal-Mart representative Dan Fogleman. But he said it would be "inappropriate for me to share any additional information" until authorities investigate further.
Also, in Missouri, a vehicle hit two Black Friday shoppers, according to KCTV. It wasn't clear how badly they were hurt, but both of the victims were alert when police arrived. Read more.
Shoppers around the country lined up early outside stores in the annual bargain hunting ritual known as Black Friday. Many stores open early and stay open late. The Valley Stream Wal-Mart usually opens at 9 a.m.
© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report. At least three other people were injured.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc., in Bentonville, Ark., would not confirm the reports of a stampede but said a "medical emergency" had caused the company to close the store, which is in Valley Stream on Long Island.
Nassau County police said the 34-year-old worker was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at about 6 a.m., an hour after the store opened. The cause of death was not immediately known.
A police statement said shortly after 5 a.m., a throng of shoppers "physically broke down the doors, knocking (the worker) to the ground." Police also said a 28-year-old pregnant woman was taken to a hospital for observation and three other shoppers suffered minor injuries and were also taken to hospitals.
The exact cause of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner's office, detectives said.
The dead worker's name was not released.
"Local authorities are looking into the situation," said Wal-Mart representative Dan Fogleman. But he said it would be "inappropriate for me to share any additional information" until authorities investigate further.
Also, in Missouri, a vehicle hit two Black Friday shoppers, according to KCTV. It wasn't clear how badly they were hurt, but both of the victims were alert when police arrived. Read more.
Shoppers around the country lined up early outside stores in the annual bargain hunting ritual known as Black Friday. Many stores open early and stay open late. The Valley Stream Wal-Mart usually opens at 9 a.m.
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Five years from now this will seem minor compared to what will happening then.
It really does not matter if it is Walmart, Target, Belk or whatever store and how much security or if it is management or staff. It was a mob mentality. They would not have stopped no matter who was there attempting to maintain control. 12 staff members tried to help this man and were not able to do so.
When the crowd thought it was unfair that they could not continue shopping after someone had died was about as low as a person could go. When our wants are more important than a life, we need to rethink our priorities.
What does it tell you when the more experienced workers and managers let a TEMPORARY worker do the dangerous job of unlocking the doors at the beginning of the biggest shopping frenzy of the year?
Henceforth, a STORE MANAGER should be responsible for opening the doors on the day after Thanksgiving. Watch and see - there will be ARMED GUARDS clearing an open space outside the door before the manager will even approach the doors...
There are those of us who have been warning America for years...Read the book of Isaiah, and understand what happens to nations that turn away from God. God will do it all. You can''t say you weren''t warned. And you won''t be able to blame us, we are unarmed and harmless. We''re on the radio, the TV, in the church, passing you by as we talk to you about the peace of Christ passing to you. We are the prophets God sent you, saying, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord!" You would have none of us. We shall now be silent. We shall now only preach what you want to hear. We will now only show you what you want to see. And, we - - will perish - - along with thee.