Man Dies After Wal-Mart Stampede

(CBS/AP)  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.

[PR_in_Alabama]

this news are OOOOOOldddd.. c'mon CBS..I guess u don't like black friday

[desertbat]

The main issue here is the fact that the current generations have not been taught by example or lesson to be respectful of others and to be responsible for thier actions, ergo, lack of caring for anyone but themselves.

[AnnieDanny]

THIS IS DATED 2009!!! WHY DOES CBS PERSIST IN OFFERING OLD NEWS ON THEIR WEBSITE???????

[skeezix06]

Example of why I don't do Black Friday any more.

[cbsblogger]

This will never end until Walmart is sued for a class action billion dollars due to their enticement but failure to provide adequate security for the public.

[AnnieDanny]

THIS ARTICLE IS FROM 2009. CBS has been posting a lot of old news lately, you really have to read the dates. I'm not happy about it. Since when do we have to doublecheck a news site to find out if they're current or not?

[shurch4truth]

In case you have not noticed incidents like this have been increasing and it's directly related to the elimination of the middle class, less financial support for education, and significant concentration of wealth among a very small percentage of people.

Five years from now this will seem minor compared to what will happening then.

[donevis-2009]

someone announced BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL before the doors were opened.

[sleeepless]

I heard about the Walmart worker, on Friday morning, and was shocked and horrified that this could happen. According to this article a pregant 28 year old woman and 3 other people were all taken to the hospital, as well. A radio program reported that when they closed the store due to the death, shopper we upset and screaming that it was unfair.

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.

[idaliahqueen]

all i have to say...the people who killed this man are f*cking savages! to think that probably half of these morons were drunk! so sad for the family of the man who died. rip. and i can''t believe no one even stop to help him. fyi same sale on friday were going still on sunday! losers!

[txgrouch2007]

The other news sources say the worker was a temporary worker, and he was at the doors to open them for the store opening.

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...