Black Friday Stampede: A Tragic Tale of Human Gluttony

Read this article I found on Newsday.com:

A 34-year-old Wal-Mart worker died Friday morning after "a throng of shoppers . . . physically broke down the doors" and knocked him to the ground as the crowd pushed its way into the store at a Valley Stream mall, Nassau police said.

One police officer told Newsday the prelude to the death was "a mob scene." The man who died was a temporary, part-time Wal-Mart worker, the officer said.

Shoppers who surged into the store were asked to leave by Wal-Mart workers, some of them crying and visibly upset, said one shopper, Kimberly Cribbs of Far Rockaway.

Though rumors circulated among the shoppers that someone had been badly injured, people ignored the Wal-Mart workers' requests that they stop shopping, move to the front of the store and exit, Cribbs said.

"They kept shopping. It's not right. They're savages," Cribbs said.

She said she entered the store after the worker was already being attended to by emergency personnel. As people waited, then pushed into the store, she said, "It was chaos."

Another shopper said people were screaming and shoving in line before the opening.

The worker was knocked down at 5:03 a.m. at the Green Acres Mall store, and was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:03 a.m.

As of Friday morning the cause of death was described as "undetermined," police said. An exact cause of death will be determined by the county medical examiner's office, police said. The man's name was not immediately made public by the police, and the store was closed.

Police are reviewing the security tapes from the store entrance.

Four other Wal-Mart shoppers at the Valley Stream store were taken to hospitals Friday morning. A 28-year-old pregnant woman was taken to a hospital for observation, and three other shoppers suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospitals for treatment.

Dan Fogelman, spokesman at Wal-Mart corporate headquarters in Bentonville, Ark., said Friday, "The safety and security of our customers and associates are our top priority."

Fogelman called the death "a tragic situation" and said the company was cooperating fully with the Nassau County police investigation. He declined to comment on whether the company would review its practice of heavily-discounted holiday sales events, or whether the company was reviewing its crowd control measures at such sales.

He said company management were saddened by the death of the worker and the injuries to customers, adding, "Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time."

The Nassau Police Fifth Squad is investigating.

I almost feel sick by how careless people can be. Just shows how Americans are so selfish trampling over strangers to save a few bucks during the holidays. Yes we understand times are tough and sacrifices are being made but to be so impatient and savage to get what you want is beyond me. I hope all those people there at that Wal Mart at 5:03 AM feel guilty for how they acted, but knowing this country's attitude they are are going to point the finger some were else. Wal Mart will end up being blamed and possibly sued for having "such great deals". "It's not our fault, Wal Mart should not have their prices so low and such limited quanities", I bet is what we will be hearing from those selfish penny pinchers in the papers later this week.

Here is a thought why don't all the pathetic shoppers man up and take responsibility for their actions. Even small children all trying to head to recess have the patience to line up and wait to be excused. I bet no one even stopped to help him either just kept running with the money in their hands and minds on them selves. Even when they were asked to leave they refused, how in the world can someone be that idiotic. I hope that everyone there in the first 15 min of trampling is fined or charged for man saluter or even a hit and run! Patience is a virtue and I believe that is a lesson they could learn in jail.

I feel so upset for that mans family and even worse it makes me so disappointed in mankind. I can't even think of anything else to say. I will be reading up on what the outcome of this tragic ordeal hoping that there is some humility left in the hearts of people. Sorry for being to harsh but this is very upsetting.