Woman Knocked Unconscious By Wal-Mart Shoppers

WKMG Orlando ^ | November 28, 2003

[Shermy]

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.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

How much was the DVD player?

[Pappy Smear]

This also reminds of the Simpsons episode where a company was putting a new toy on the market, "Funzo". There was a big crowd waiting in line to rush the store and buy Funzo, but the marketing guy said something to the effect of, "I won't be convinced it's a hit, until I see trampling."

Was it Lenny that got trampled?

[tubebender]

What...no Beannie Babies this year...

[SassNClass]

Oh, please. I would NEVER get up at 2:30AM for a 3AM show up at a store just because it's on sale.

I do my Xmas shopping EARLY, like in the late summer. Then you don't have to fight the crowds!

[Monty22]

It was Moe, and he goes 'hey hey, now why would you wear cleats to the mall'

[marron]

If you go down, I recommend you roll yourself into a tight ball and try to get under a display case.

If you have a skateboarder in the family, borrow his knee and elbow pads for additional protection. Borrow his gameboy, too, to give yourself something to do while you wait in the checkout line. Expect to be there awhile.

Or better yet, get someone else to do it for you. You can wait outside, talk to the grocery store strikers next door. They're bored, they'll talk to you.

[Pappy Smear]

Thanks, you are right, it was Moe. One of my best laughs of the day just thinking about it.

[scan58]

I agree. I did that for the first time this year. I started in September and finished last week. I am so glad I did, too. I could never afford to do all my shopping in one day and whatever $5 or $10 would be saved on an item or two on the day after Thanksgiving definitely isn't worth fighting agonizing crowds.
It's sickening that these other shoppers were so selfish and heartless.

[Bonaparte]

"I do my Xmas shopping EARLY, like in the late summer."

Good move. I do mine in January.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

The article said: "...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..."

Response: There is something poignant about this. However, I cannot figure out what it is?

[norraad]

I'm pretty happy shopping online & TV shopping channels.

The shipping is getting impressively faster & cheaper.

Btw- what's a check-out line?(/smarta§§)

[facedown]

Gives the expression "shop until you drop" a whole new meaning.

[Aquamarine]

The article said: "...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..."

Response: There is something poignant about this. However, I cannot figure out what it is?

She didn't fumble it.

[Iron-sight Sniper]

I agree.

[stufftom]

Hi,

I think this story might be an Urban Legend. I read the same exact story about a year, the only difference is that in the story from last year it was for a gameboy advanced.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

Shop, drop, and roll?

[stufftom]

I realize you were doing that for comedic effect, but it is rather insensitive to those of us who have family members and or close friends who are handicapped.

I do agree though there is something wrong with a person that would sit outside at 3am to get a crappy DVD.

[dougherty]

Animals. I take that back, comparing these idiots to animals is an insult to animals, especially vultures.