Police say a worker, a contract security person at a Wal-Mart store in Long Island, New York, has died after being trampled by a throng of unruly shoppers.It apparently occurred shortly after the store opened at 5 a.m. on so-called Black Friday (November 28, 2008), the traditional start of the holiday sales rush in the United States. Officials say several other people were injured in the incident.
It would appear that Nassau County police say the 34-year-old worker was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead at about 6 a.m. The exact cause of death has yet to be determined. Really? News flash -- it probably was not a cough due to cold!
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 in the vicinity.
A police statement stated that shortly after 5 a.m., a throng of shoppers “physically broke down the doors, knocking [the worker] to the ground.”
Officials at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. in Bentonville, Arkansas, refused to 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. “Local authorities are looking into the situation,” said Wal-Mart representative Dan Fogleman. He said it would be “inappropriate for me to share any additional information” until authorities investigate further.
OK, so the running of the bulls in Pamplona, there is an expectation of injury - perhaps even death.
Working at a Wal-Mart, anywhere... death by rampaging likely grossly overweight bargain hunting Long Island residents? Wow...
By the way... do you think that Wal-Mart may quietly decide to change their slogan? See above, it reads, "Save money. Live better". I'm guessing that the family of the unfortunate soul that was crushed might have something to say about that privately and publicly since crazed bargain hunting shoppers terminated the life of a likely minimum wage employee.
The very premise of Black Friday is a recipe for disaster. Here, north of the Mason Dixon line we have our own retail ballyhoo to deal with traditionally on December 26th. It's called Boxing Day. And no, it has nothing to do with a Mike Tyson rematch.
People dying to save a few dollars. Truly tragic.
As that renowned philosopher from Los Angeles, Rodney King once said, "Can't we all just get along?"
5 comments:
I read that this morning, and I'm never going to get a job to greeting cheap ass murderers at the front doors of walmart.
It was with great sadness that I saw this on CNN how a worker lost their life being trampled to death all in the name of bargain hunting!! Truly, what has this society come to. It looks like human respect and decency have gone out the window all in the name of saving a few bucks. God help us all!!!!!!!! NJ
"I'm so glad you like your dolly, Jane! mommy got it for you by trampling and swarming other mommies".... seriously, what are we teaching the kidlettes???
Now rumours abound that local law enforcement is planning on charging the "stampeders"... video tape is being reviewed.
Charging folks with manslaughter in the second degree (my guess) seems like overkill -- pardon the expression.
At the end of the day, does this all not come down to manners and common courtesy? Who says mob mentality rules?
Regardless, it's all pretty pathetic. A person's life represents a 60% savings on some made-in-China plastic (hold the melamine)toy?
No comment about the shoppers because in this economy I don't understand how anyone has the money for Christmas. The meaning of Christmas is totally changed here- those people more than likely are Christmas shopping and to see someone get trampled isn't really cool at all.The autopsy said he was trampled and positional asphyxiation. I think the holidays shouldn't be about getting its bullshit! It should be about doing one cool traditional thing like baking cookies or breads or reading a good story together. All year long we cycle in this hamster wheel and most of the presents bought are forgotten about in a couple days.
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