Wal-Mart worker dies after shoppers knock him down

[John317]

Wal-Mart worker dies after shoppers knock him down

By COLLEEN LONG, Associated Press Writer – 1 hr 30 mins ago

NEW YORK – 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 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.

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.

[olger]

This is a seriously messed up country.

[Liz]

Agreed, did ya'll hear about the shoot out at Toys-R-Us? I do not shop on Black Friday; the sales are not that great.

[phkrause]

agreed. Whatever sales they have on black friday continue on till after new years and beyond. besides they raise up the prices just before thanksgiving, than tell you they are having a sale.

pk

[John317]

The news said that shoppers who trampled the worker got angry and wouldn't leave the store when they were told it was closing on account of the man's death. All they could think about was that they wouldn't get a TV or whatever.

[Dr. Shane]

No one has to tell me to leave a crowded store. When I go in and see long lines at the checkout I voluntarily leave.

[John317]

The news said many of these shoppers had been in a long line since 10 PM the night before the store opened, and the line had been all the way around the store. So they're a different breed of shopper than you and me.

[Doug]

People just disgust me. I hope his family sues the store.

[olger]

Why does your disgust at the people involved manifest itself against the store, who committed no crime??

oG

[phkrause]

Agreed Olger, but you know that they will sue because that's what everyone wants. Also this same thing has been going on for years. I don't understand why they have not figured out a better way of controlling the crowds going in. I know that they used to have the same problem with concerts. You don't hear of that many problems with those anymore.

pk

[cricket]

I don't understand why they have not figured out a better way of controlling the crowds going in.

That's exactly the problem! It's also exactly why suing the store will do some good--it will be the catalyst for change in policies and procedures.

IMO, everyone who shopped in the store that day out to be charged an equal fine as well (perhaps as much as doubling what they would have paid for the things they purchased *gasp*).

[Liz]

I agree, in this day and age, they could rig those doors to open by remote. The store didn't protect their workers.

[John317]

A police statement said shortly after 5 a.m., a throng of shoppers "physically broke down the doors, knocking (the worker) to the ground."

What they needed to do was put up an iron gate on the outside of the doors until the store decided to open them up, because the crowd got angry and crashed the doors before opening time. I doubt the store could have predicted the crowd would do that, but they may reconsider now.

[Liz]

Well I guess it would depend on what the crowd did in years past. Have they always had a big surge of people when the store opened at 5 am? Has the crowd always had an unruly air about it?

If it has always continued to escalate then, yes, the store could have predicted that each year it would continue to get worse, and steps should have been put in place to prevent this outcome.

One thing that does really bother me about this whole thing, is that it said the crowd "got angry" before the store opened. Why? If the crowd knew the store was to open at 5, then why was it "getting angry" before then? Was mob mentality kicking in at that point?

[John317]

I agree. Not sure if the store ever experienced anything similar before.

Maybe shoppers in some areas are changing, become more aggressive and harder to handle. I wonder if the recent economic anxiety has anything to do with it.

It's hard to say why they did what they did, but all that has to happen to get that to happen is for someone in the mob to yell or do certain things, then others copy it. I hope we learn more of exactly what happened.

[Liz]

Now the Walmart store is saying it did have security measures in place.

WalMart

They placed that man their diliberately due to his size. So they had an inkling that something could happen.

[Dr. Shane]

If they are going to sue Wal-Mart they may as well sue the city too because the city could have sent police there which is what they do when they anticipate riots. In fact, I think the city's police have as much responsibility as does Wal-Mart.

Shoppers get angry because of sales. For example, a computer will be advertised to be on sale for $400 but each store is only provided 4 or 5 of those computers. Same with other sales items such as popular toys, video games, shoes, etc. So it is a first come wins scenario. Thus shoppers are anxious to get in the store and grab on of the on-sale items.

[olger]

I found the problem.

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God."

[John317]

I agree with you, olger. That is the main problem: thinking only of self. It seems like more and more are being affected by that problem. It's shocking and appalling to see what it can lead to.

[Woody]

I found the problem.

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God."

Over 19 million Americans are incontinent. I am not sure what this has to do with anything. This is not what they would want. But it is something beyond their power to 'control'. Would you like to explain how the matter of ones bladder has anything to do with anything?

[carolaa]

If they are going to sue Wal-Mart they may as well sue the city too because the city could have sent police there which is what they do when they anticipate riots. In fact, I think the city's police have as much responsibility as does Wal-Mart.

Shoppers get angry because of sales. For example, a computer will be advertised to be on sale for $400 but each store is only provided 4 or 5 of those computers. Same with other sales items such as popular toys, video games, shoes, etc. So it is a first come wins scenario. Thus shoppers are anxious to get in the store and grab on of the on-sale items.

The city probably would have sent officers if the store had requested them, which they should have done. Everywhere I have shopped on Black Friday (in Texas), there have been police present. Also, when there are limited items, store employees normally go out before the store opens and hand out tickets for those items. Those two steps can eliminate a lot of problems.

[olger]

Blaming sucessful businesses, while in vogue among liberals, is hardly a godly or effective solution.

[Dr. Shane]

The police are ultimately responsible for public safety. That is what we pay them for. The police are not to sit on their hands and wait for some retail establishment to call for help. That would be to neglect their obligation to the public.

No Wal-Mart where I live hands out tickets for limited items. Everyone know that if they don't get to the store early the first day of the sale all the good items will be gone.

[Liz]

Blaming sucessful businesses, while in vogue among liberals, is hardly a godly or effective solution.

That's right, we need to blame the unsuccessful businesses. Sorry, Olger, I just couldn't resist.

Anyways, on a different note. I read somewhere, that the police had responded to this particular Walmart earlier for a disturbance. It was like an hour before they opened. So the police knew the crowd was getting rowdy even then, and they left.

[Doug]

Why does your disgust at the people involved manifest itself against the store, who committed no crime??

oG

I think they had a right to control the crowd or put experienced personnel outside or inside the store to control the crowd. another thing is when the crowd began to get bigger than a certain size they should have canceled it. Anytime you have any event you are responsible to keep the crowd under control.