Black Friday Sales Cause Mass Insanity

Black Friday is the most popular shopping day of the year. Stores advertise huge savings on many items including merchandise that is usually very expensive. Some shoppers love the challenge of getting something at such low price and others who normally can't afford some things are happy to finally be able to purchase some of the nicer things. It has become quite a competition nowadays- to the point that people camp out in front of stores, sometimes for days until the sale, in order to be first in line and have access to the merchandise that is sure to go quick. But sometimes things can and have gone very wrong. Multiple stampedes have happened as crowds of people try to push past to get inside the store and other times customers have gotten violent in order to get the items they want. It seems that many shoppers go completely mad when it comes to Black Friday. Take a look at some of these stories I have gathered from years past.

In Michigan at a Wal-Mart crowds made a mad dash into the store knocking over a pregnant women and several others. The pregnant woman was taken by ambulance.

At a Florida BrandSmart a 73 year old woman was pushed to the ground as the doors were opened and the crowd pushes their way into a store. She hit her head as she fell to the floor and people were stepping on her back over and over again to get inside the store.

A woman at a Wal-Mart in Florida was injured by trying to get a laptop for her daughter which was 100.00 off the original price. As she reached to get the computer she was pushed by a crowd of people trying to get the same laptop. She was pushed to the floor and the crowd ran over her. She ended up with a concussion and back and neck problems.

At a Wal-mart in Long Island, NY a crowd of around 1000 shoppers physically broke and pushed their way through the doors 5 minutes before the doors were scheduled to open. In the process, they knocked down and trampled over a temporary employee that was 34 years old man who ended up dying that day.

At the same Walmart, same day, a pregnant women was knocked down and trampled on which resulted in the miscarriage of her baby.

At a Toys R Us in Colorada a 78 year old woman tried to get into line at midnight when she was pushed to the ground by other disgruntled shoppers waiting in line. Her hip, thigh and shoulder were hurt in the process. She went to the doctor the next day and thank Goodness there was only minor bruising.

At a Target in North Buffalo, NY a man was injured as crowds rushed through the door. He was pinned to the metal door support and then pushed to the ground. He suffered from a herniated disk and sought help at the local hospital.

At a Los Angeles, CA Wal-Mart a woman sprayed a crowd with pepper spray in order to get a Xbox 360 causing injury to 20 fellow shoppers.

At a Wal-Mart in San Leandro, CA a shopper was approached by men in the parking lot demanding he give over his purchases. When the shopper refused,a fight ensued and he ended up getting shot. He is said to be in critical, yet stable condition.

In Phoenix Arizona at a Wal-Mart a 54 year old grandfather was subdued to the floor by police for trying to shop lift during a chaotic rush of customers trying to get to discounted video games. The mans wife however, said the man had stuck one game in his belt in order to save his grandson from being trampled on by the crowd.

At a Wal-Mart in Lakewood, Colorado some crazed shoppers got into a knock down drag out over waffle makers that were 2.97. Apparently, one woman got bit while reaching for the waffle maker and she in turn kicked the woman who bit her and knocked her to the ground.

There are many, many more stories out there but these were some of the most ridiculous. Sometimes it can be funny to look and see what lengths these people will go to get a bargain but when that involves people getting injured or people being killed it stops being funny and is quite sad. I'm not sure what can be done about it as people in crowds apparently have the upper hand. Maybe more police officers and security would help. As I end this hub, I want to say to all of you planning to venture out for more Black Fridays to come, please stay safe! As you can see, it can be very dangerous out there.

Has anything ever happened to you while shopping on Black Friday? I would love to hear about it. Please feel free to comment in the section below :0)

P.S. I just want to say I have nothing against Wal-Mart at all. It just so happens that most of these Black Friday incidents happened in Wal-Mart stores.