A store promotion that didn't work -
Patrons brawl at department store event
BRICK TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Reuters) - A promotional event at a Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT - news) discount department store in a New Jersey town turned into a brawl Thursday night, leaving 48 children and several adults with bruises, bloody noses and other minor injuries, police said Friday.
Children aged 6 to 11 and adults trampled and fought each other as they tried to grab balloons falling from the store's ceiling containing cash, gift certificates and other prizes, Brick Township Police Lt. Douglas Kinney said.
Blood was found on the floor after the stampede, probably from bloodied noses, Kinney said. Witnesses said one adult was kicked in the stomach and others knocked down in the fray.
''As soon as the balloons dropped, things got out of hand,'' Kinney said. Seven children and one adult were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
About 200 children and parents turned out for the event, held to open the store's new toy department. The grand prize was a two-minute free shopping spree in the store. Admission fees of $2 were donated to the ''Children's Miracle Network,'' a youth charity, said store manager Joe Herron.
''Some unruly adults ruined it,'' he said.
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