Long Island, New York (The Weekly Vice) A 34-year-old Wal-Mart employee died early Friday Morning after he was trampled to death by a stampede of shoppers who literally broke down the doors to begin their 'Black Friday' shopping day.
Police say Nearly 2000 restless shoppers waited outside a Wal-Mart located in the Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream, New York. As the store prepared to open for it's "Doorbuster" sale, the crowd began to push hard against the store's mechanical doors.
Store employees, including a 34 year old temporary employee who remains unnamed, were preparing to unlock the doors, when police say the unruly mob literally took the door off it's hinges and exploded into the store.
Investigators say the stampede of shoppers knocked down the 34-year-old store employee and proceeded to trample him to death in it's mad dash toward the shopping isles. Authorities say the throng of customers pushed by as emergency crews attempted to revive the trampled man. He was then rushed to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead at 6:03 a.m..
"He was bum-rushed by 200 people," said fellow employee Jimmy Overby. "They took the doors off the hinges. He was trampled and killed in front of me."
Following the man's death, people continued to shop, despite angry orders from store employees who requested that they leave. The store was closed by police a short time later.
Authorities say three additional injuries occurred in the stampede. A 28-year-old pregnant woman was knocked to the ground and three others received minor injuries, according to police.
"They're savages," said shopper Kimberly Cribbs. "It's sad. It's terrible!"
The Weekly Vice Opinion:
So considering the fact that Wal-Mart literally promoted this whole thing as a "Doorbuster" sale - what do you think the odds are that this man's family will be launching a little profit-buster lawsuit in response?
Danny Vice
The Weekly Vice
www.theweeklyvice.com
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7 comments:
I do not go out shopping on Black Sunday because people are crazy just like this. It's just not worth being sandwiched in crowds like this just to save a few bucks.
I actually start shopping in July, so by the time Christmas comes, it's pretty much done and I don't have to put up with any of the insanity.
Every year I grow more and more appalled at people. Our schools stomp out every trace of what Christmas is really about and so this is what we are left with. Greed. I read in another report that the crowds would hardly let paramedics through so they could attend to the man. I hope the store's security cameras reveal who a few of these people are.
Besides the anonymous douche bags that ran that man over i think walmart should be held responsible clearly there was not enough security. the same thing happens every year. what kind of idiot would wait in line 9+ hours in winter to save at the most 100 dollars.
I usually don't hit walmart for black friday as we all know crowds of people all hopped up for a deal can be dangerous. We learned that years ago. I went for the first time this year(because of the price match and not a doorbuster), and although they didn't make us wait outside, it was still mayhem when 5AM came. 150+ people huddled around pallets that held less than 50 of an item. I think Walmart holds alot of the responsibilty. Why can't they do like other retailers (like Staples) who hand out tickets for items to the folks in line and they just go back to a counter and claim their item? No stampeeds, no fights, and if you can't get what you're after, you have time to go somewhere else. I understand how we're all broke and just trying to get a deal, but does it have to be so uncivilized? Walmart knew full well what it was creating by doing things this way, by not having enough security,and a better plan. And sadly it cost some unfortunate, and probably seasonal worker trying to make a few extra $$ for the holidays, his life.
Rabid shoppers + incompetent & negligent planning by Wal-Mart = Disaster.
I've been to Wally World twice. To buy The Eagles cd a year ago (disappointing)and the Wally World exclusive Genesis dvd, When In Rome (which is excellent). People are much more rude and you can't blame it on the schools today. I'd bet most of the people among that stampede are in their thirties and upward. And,I'll guarantee the majority are parents. I'm sure some folks within that melee couldn't do more than go forward--being pushed from behind. I've been in that situation one time and it's strange to say the least of having no control of your movement. My experience was at a mid 70's era rock concert. Luckily,no one was hurt.
Having said that. Wal-Mart is culpable and I'll share my reason(s) why. They exploit the entire Black Friday environment. Hell,with the exception mentioned above,and until festival seating was banned,I've seen concert promoters handle the expectation(s)of large disruptive crowds with much more diligence than Wal-Mart has shown. Wally World knows what to expect from Black Friday. They're experienced enough and have the funds to provide crowd control. Also,the crowd itself is at fault--but we don't live in a perfect world-so, just merely hoping for the crowd to police themselves is out of the question.
This is more a problem with a particular race than a particular store or holiday. They are attracted to glittery junk and Walmart has lots of it.
This is more a problem with a particular race than a particular store or holiday. They are attracted to glittery junk and Walmart has lots of it.
I guess we could make the same argument for WHO fans that reside in and around Cincinnati,no?
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