Wal-Mart clerk dies from Stampede

[Harthorn]

NEW YORK (AP) — A Wal-Mart worker was killed Friday when "out-of-control" shoppers desperate for bargains broke down the doors at a 5 a.m. sale. Other workers were trampled as they tried to rescue the man, and customers shouted angrily and kept shopping when store officials said they were closing because of the death, police and witnesses said.

At least four other people, including a woman who was eight months pregnant, were taken to hospitals for observation or minor injuries, and the store in Valley Stream on Long Island closed for several hours before reopening.

Shoppers stepped over the man on the ground and streamed into the store. When told to leave, they complained that they had been in line since Thursday morning.

Nassau County police said about 2,000 people were gathered outside the store doors at the mall about 20 miles east of Manhattan. The impatient crowd knocked the man, identified by police as Jdimytai Damour of Queens, to the ground as he opened the doors, leaving a metal portion of the frame crumpled like an accordion.

"This crowd was out of control," said Nassau police spokesman Lt. Michael Fleming. He described the scene as "utter chaos," and said the store didn't have enough security.

Dozens of store employees trying to fight their way out to help Damour were also getting trampled by the crowd, Fleming said.

Items on sale at the store included a Samsung 50-inch Plasma HDTV for $798, a Bissel Compact Upright Vacuum for $28, a Samsung 10.2 megapixel digital camera for $69 and DVDs such as "The Incredible Hulk" for $9.

Damour, 34, was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead about 6 a.m., police said. The exact cause of death has not been determined.

A 28-year-old pregnant woman was taken to a hospital, where she and the baby were reported to be OK, said police Sgt. Anthony Repalone.

Police said criminal charges were possible in the case, but Fleming said it would be difficult to identify individual shoppers. Authorities were reviewing surveillance video.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., based in Bentonville, Ark., called the incident a "tragic situation" and said the employee came from a temporary agency and was doing maintenance work at the store. It said it tried to prepare for the crowd by adding staffers and outside security workers, putting up barricades and consulting police.

"Despite all of our precautions, this unfortunate event occurred," senior Vice President Hank Mullany said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those impacted."

Kimberly Cribbs, who witnessed the stampede, said shoppers were acting like "savages."

"When they were saying they had to leave, that an employee got killed, people were yelling 'I've been on line since yesterday morning,'" she said. "They kept shopping."

A woman reported being trampled by overeager customers at a Wal-Mart opening Friday in Farmingdale, about 15 miles east of Valley Stream, Suffolk County police said. She suffered minor injuries, but finished shopping before filling the report, police said.

Shoppers around the country line up early outside stores on the day after Thanksgiving in the annual bargain-hunting ritual known as Black Friday. It got that name because it has historically been the day when stores broke into profitability for the full year.

Sauce : http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...uziLgD94OAFF80



Why am I not suprised, America...

[Queenie]

OMG
This is why I refuse to go to those massive sale days, like the after Christmas sales. Mum went one year not too long ago and this woman just ripped what ever my mum had in her arms and took a chunk of skin with her aswell

[thetunersgroup]

OMG
This is why I refuse to go to those massive sale days, like the after Christmas sales. Mum went one year not too long ago and this woman just ripped what ever my mum had in her arms and took a chunk of skin with her aswell

What the @#$% is wrong with people ?! That's beyond ludicrous.

I'm lost for words at that US story.

- Adam

[Yo-Yo]

Dozens of store employees trying to fight their way out to help Damour were also getting trampled by the crowd, Fleming said.

Items on sale at the store included a Samsung 50-inch Plasma HDTV for $798, a Bissel Compact Upright Vacuum for $28, a Samsung 10.2 megapixel digital camera for $69 and DVDs such as "The Incredible Hulk" for $9.

Damour, 34, was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead about 6 a.m., police said. The exact cause of death has not been determined.

Kimberly Cribbs, who witnessed the stampede, said shoppers were acting like "savages."

what a strange and shameless plug.

More like acting like "Americans"

[Wink]

No wonder they call them the Black Friday sales.

[rokutofu]

What the @#$% is wrong with people ?! That's beyond ludicrous.

I'm lost for words at that US story.

- Adam

+1

WTF is wrong with people over there...Poor worker..

And the cold heartless indifferent shoppers that continued to shop???

Only in America aye...

*speechless*

[Kelezzay]

And that whole thing about 'I was waiting here til yesterday' excuse isn't enough, which clearly shows Americans and there disrespect for other and them just thinking about themselves such slfish pigs.

[DreadAngel]

Fark, RIP to the man, stupid crowd...

To be concerned only about saving $$$ to walk over someone and killing them... Beyond barbaric...

This is where security isn't enough and you should call the Marines...

M240 for everyone =D

[scathing]

OMG
This is why I refuse to go to those massive sale days, like the after Christmas sales.

Ditto. What is it about sales that seems to revert some people into an animal-like state? You see it every year on the news - this massive stampede where someone gets trampled and brawls erupt over the last of a heavily discounted and popular item.

People need to step back and unfuck their heads.

[HuH]

This is the most insane story I've read in ages. Unbelievable. That guys life was worth less to them than the cheap shit on sale that they don't even need.