Wal-Mart Worker Dies in Black Friday Trampling

By Colleen Long

NEW YORK -- Police say a Wal-Mart(WMT) worker has died after being trampled by a throng of unruly shoppers shortly after the Valley Stream store on Long Island opened Friday.

Nassau County police say 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. The dead worker's name was not released.

At least three other people were injured.

A police statement says a throng of shoppers "physically broke down the doors, knocking him to the ground." Police also say a 28-year-old pregnant woman was taken to a hospital for observation.

Wal-Mart Stores in Bentonville, Ark., would not confirm the reports of a stampede during the day-after-Thanksgiving bargain hunting, but said a "medical emergency" caused them to close the store.

"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.

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