Woman Knocked Unconscious By Wal-Mart Shoppers

[Harveylives]

Woman Knocked Unconscious By Wal-Mart Shoppers
Witnesses: Shoppers Stepped Over Woman Having Seizure

POSTED: 6:39 p.m. EST November 28, 2003
UPDATED: 6:58 p.m. EST November 28, 2003

ORANGE CITY, Fla. -- A 41-year-old woman was knocked unconscious and then trampled by a mob of shoppers who continued to step over her as she suffered a seizure during a Friday sale at Wal-Mart in Orange City, Fla., according to Local 6 News.




Authorities said that Patricia Van Lester arrived at Wal-Mart at 3 a.m. for an early sale on a DVD player for her mother. When the store's doors opened at 6 a.m., Van Lester grabbed the DVD player but was quickly overcome by hundreds of shoppers rushing into the store.

The woman was knocked to the ground, slammed her head on the ground and suffered at least one seizure, according to Local 6 News.

Her sister watched the incident and tried to stop the crowd as they made their way to the merchandise.

"I screamed, 'Stop, don't step on her, my sister is on the ground,' and nobody would listen," the woman's sister, Linda Ellzey said. "I've never seen so many people in a store at one time -- in one area. If there was a fire, nobody could've gotten out of there."

When paramedics arrived at the scene, they found the woman lying on top of the DVD player among shoppers who seemed to not even notice the unconscious woman on the floor, according to a witness.

Van Lester was airlifted to Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach. Ellzey said her sister will likely remain hospitalized for days.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.



Are people really this mad? We are living in the 21st century aren't we? I'm glad I worked today.

[Saajak]

I went to Wally World at about 10 this morning, and it was still mass chaos. I've done the early morning shopping, and sadly I can easily see this happening.

[vikingscaper]

Unfortunately, stuff like this does happen. As some may or may not know, my place of employment while I am in college is Wal-Mart. When I pulled into the parking lot this morning, people where lined up from the doors out into the parking lot. Luckily, I got to be outside taking TVs that were on sale out of storage trailers for people to pick up when the initial rush occurred. It is a real mess especially in a small store like the one I work in with narrow aisles and not much room to maneuver in. I feel that people should relax more when it comes to the day after Thanskgiving sales and if you don't get what you want, just relax. Do not go running over people just to get the latest toy, a cool electronic gadget, or a trampoline enclosure (people were complaining because we didn't have enough). While I have never seen an accident occurring at the store that I work at, I can imagine it happening at other stores.

[Raina]

That's just. . . . that's ignorant. I can't believe how incredibly insensitive these people were. It makes me tired that American society is so driven by the dollar they'll sacrifice decency for it.

[Third EYe]

It's what xmas is all about

[grinner]

:g2f::yuck:

[BillFrugge]

Originally posted by Third EYe
It's what xmas is all about

That may be what xmas is about (whatever xmas is...) but this is the Christmas season, and apparently everyone has forgotten what that means.

The almighty dollar? Hardly. These are people so obsessed with material possessions that they are blind to the harm they inflict on others.

[Saajak]

Do you feel that retailers cater to this mentality by offering these items for such a restricted time frame? I couldn't believe how many parents brought their children along so the children could race through the stores to pick up the "hot items". Nothing like ruining the surprise.

[scapergin]

I work in a department store & worked this morning, while we have early morning deals we also have some that went from 4-10pm. I will never go christmas shopping the day after thanksgiving. I don't need to save a buck that bad.

[RustySlinky]

Do you feel that retailers cater to this mentality by offering these items for such a restricted time frame? I couldn't believe how many parents brought their children along so the children could race through the stores to pick up the "hot items". Nothing like ruining the surprise.Ex-Target (and perhaps future) grunt here. My "Day after Thanksgiving" shifts have been, "Hell" doesn't do it justice.

The thing is, a DVD player IS actually a big deal for types of people who shop at Walmart. It's 3 months worth of savings for me personally, at my present job and expense level . . .

One of my co-workers said that one of the hardest things she ever had to do was to gather her three kids and tell them "Please forgive me, I can't afford christmas this year". That DVD player can become a verdict, on ourselves, our relationships, and our place in the world.

. . . I guess that . . . I don't excuse their behavior but I sort of know where they're coming from.

But if there were a few people who could have prevented this from happening, I agree, it would be the store manager and supervisors. Another thing to do would be to prevent the crowd mentality by limiting the number of people entering the building, I've seen this done at other places.

If Walmart tried to run ScaperCon in the same way they run one of their stores: Or maybe if Harvard & Yale free admissions plus full scholarships were placed in those boxes, instead of the DVD's. If a crowd wants something bad enough, they'll likely frenzy to get it.

[BillFrugge]

I used to co-manage a Montgomery Ward when the Cabbage Patch Kids and Care Bears were the big thing. It's disgusting to hear someone asking how they're going to go home without some specific toy for their child. (Who's the real child?)

When I was a kid, (everyone rolls their eyes...) I was happy with any toy I got for Christmas. Quite often, I didn't get the toy I wanted -- but what I did get turned out to be more fun.

This woman was beaten up over a DVD player. (And it sounds like she managed to keep her hands on it) I've heard a news article on the radio where her sister is going to hold one for her. (The store ought to at least give her one for free.)

For crying out loud! Everywhere I look, I find DVD players for sale -- There is no shortage of them. The prices of the durn things run as low as $40. To hold a rampage over that?

Perhaps people should just turn off the TV for a week, and learn who their family is. They could learn the things that matter most. There used to be a saying: "It's the thought that counts."

[Third EYe]

I saw dvd players selling for 39 bucks a week ago.


I'm gonna go to the computer store today, Microserv. I wonder what it's going to be like? I'm not xmas shopping, I just need to get a few things for my network.


I really have no concept of this behavior. It's primitive.

[vikingscaper]

I have heard some good stories about a Wal-Mart in the Twin Cities today. Apparently, there were fist fights over some Care Bears, traffic was backed up onto the freeway, cops had to be called in, and there were fights in the parking lot over parking spots. Of course, that store also had good sales for the day also.

[Jaxa Logan]

I went shopping with my sister ONCE the day after Thanksgiving. Never again! It was insane and I didn't buy a single thing. I didn't see any "bargains" worth it. I was told the whole point was to get the free stuff they were handing out to the first 100 people. Yeah- like that tin of cookies with Elmo on it was worth all of that! Please!!!
Jax

[BillFrugge]

Originally posted by vikingscaper
Apparently, there were fist fights over some Care Bears.

LOL. They sound like real caring people.

Honestly, I think adults are becoming more like children everyday.

[Frellster]

Ahhh giftmas. I will be accepting presents. I will not be giving them out. I do give out birthday presents, but not giftmas. OK, I'm supposed to shop in crouded places based on some elses religion... not gonna happen. I don't even see how that has to do with religion anyway. If it doesn't, and its just an American thing - I still don't wanna.

[Twich]

Why did no WalMart employees notice a screaming sobbing woman at the doorway? That irks me to no end. SOMEONE should have been there to help them. I mean...PARAMEDICS arrived for God's sake!!!! :irate: I went once. ONCE to an early morning shopping gig and decided the same thing. I don't need to save a buck that bad.


PEOPLE PEOPLE PEOPLE. *shaking head sadly*

I need to go hug my kid now.

[AgentSun]

it's black friday for heavens sake! AVOID AT ALL COSTS! says the girl who went to the mall friday to shop and get her hair done. the thing is, i didn't show up at 8 am to get the best deals...i do all my christmas shopping on my own time on my own pace.

i don't think it's during a war that man reverts to primitive instincts..it's when betty and mildred start to claw each other in the eyes for the 30 dollar dvd player at wal-mart.

[Scarran Raptor]

I just go by "if you get me something I get you something"

[Johnsgirl727]

Originally posted by Scarran Raptor
I just go by "if you get me something I get you something"
Works for me too.

[PrairieScaper]

Are stores feeding this ridiculous Black Friday doorbuster frenzy for the sensationalized press coverage? That's got to at least be part of it.

I heard the story about the trampled woman on the local TV news (which did not bother to cover all of the local projects to feed the needy for Thanksgiving, not nearly sensational enough I guess :rolleyes: ). Anyway, they said WalMart called this woman at the hospital to wish her well and tell her that they were holding one of the DVD players for her -- not giving it to her, just holding it for her. Geez Louise, I hope the news people got that part of the story wrong. Not that I think participating in these feeding frenzies should be rewarded, but she did get injured.

Stories like this make more worry for the future of the species. Ick.

[BillFrugge]

I think she'd better check with a lawyer before accepting that DVD player. She may be entitled to a LOT more, and accepting it might be waiving her rights to sue for damages.

Don't dismiss this. This is reminiscent of the general seating policies during concerts that lead to a lot of deaths.

[NebariNookiee]

Frell Christmas!:evil:

A few years ago – I ventured into a Wal-Mart near me at 10:30PM on Christmas Eve. Needless to say – I’ll never do that again. I wasn’t even shopping – I only went because I was asked. Every check out lane was opened and every lane was filled to capacity. The lines stretched back to the rear of the store. I had to walk the perimeter of the building just to get around all of the people. The place was completely demolished. Every shelf was trashed with half opened merchandise and broken products. I ventured into the toy isle – which was all but cleaned out, and witnessed a fistfight between two women – old enough to be my mother – over a toy that wasn’t even in its package anymore. Nothing but human debauchery. And then I hear about this woman getting trampled and I think back to that horrible night and realize that I’m not surprised in the least.

[NYPinTA]

Sad. Just sad.

[Selena]

After last year I must be one of the few who chose not to shop at all on the Friday after Thanksgiving. I was too disgusted after last year.

[BillFrugge]

This is getting depressing. Does anyone have any GOOD tales?

[grinner]

what... didn't you read the articles about Pensioners having a higher sperm count than 20somethingers?

[JadedLegend3]

Originally posted by grinner
what... didn't you read the articles about Pensioners having a higher sperm count than 20somethingers?

LOL Prisoners, right grinner? They're prisoners? hehehe

Actually, back to this thread, I saw something on the news the other day about this woman. That really sucks. I agree with Twich, how could no Wal-Mart employees notice? :pissed:

Jacqui :love:

[vikingscaper]

I am really surprised that nobody didn't notice particularily because it is the busiest shopping day of the year and almost everybody should be working at the store. Whenever an associate gets injured on the job or when a customer gets hurt somehow, we are supposed to call a Code White which means that there has been an accident and management is supposed to go to the victim. Sure, there may have been a crowd of people around the lady, but an associate should have been able to see the accident happening and reported it right away. I do feel that there is another lawsuit that will be thrown at Wal-Mart because of this incident.

[JadedLegend3]

Originally posted by Frellster
Ahhh giftmas. I will be accepting presents. I will not be giving them out. I do give out birthday presents, but not giftmas. OK, I'm supposed to shop in crouded places based on some elses religion... not gonna happen. I don't even see how that has to do with religion anyway. If it doesn't, and its just an American thing - I still don't wanna.

Slightly OT, but I just wanted to say that the idea of giving gifts on Christmas comes from the religious aspect of it. When the wise men (or as I like to call them, the wise guys) came to see the baby Christ, they brought gifts with them. Giving gifts on Christmas is Christians' way of saying, "we're so very glad to have you in our lives," kinda thing.

However, I do fully respect those people who do not celebrate Christmas for any reason, let alone religion. It is your right entirely! Just wanted to say that so people don't think I'm being anti-anyone-who-isn't-Christian...LOL

Back to the otherwise depressing thread! LOL


Jacqui :love

[DentArthurDent]

we know the price of everything.
we know the the value of nothing.

[BillFrugge]

I've always associated shopping with hunting. But this isn't what I had in mind... ;)