Wal-Mart worker killed in stampede
Posted on Saturday, November 29, 2008
NEW YORK — 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 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.
Nassau police said about 2, 000 people were gathered outside the store 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 part 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.”
Dozens of store employees trying to fight their way out to help Damour were also getting trampled by the crowd, Fleming said. Witnesses said that even as the worker lay on the ground, shoppers streamed into the store, stepping over him.
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 in line since yesterday morning, ”’ she said. “ They kept shopping.”
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, police Sgt. Anthony Repalone said. At least three other people were taken to hospitals with minor injuries.
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, called the incident a “tragic situation” and said the employee came from a temporary agency and was doing maintenance work at the store.
“The safety and security of our customers and associates is our top priority,” company spokesman Dan Fogleman said.
“At this point, facts are still being assembled and we are working closely with the Nassau County police as they investigate what occurred.” Information for this article was contributed by Anne D’Innocenzio and Mae Anderson of The Associated Press.
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