Stampede at Computer Sale Injures Several People in Va.

August 16, 2005 - 9:58am

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Several people were injured at Richmond International Raceway Tuesday morning as thousands of people rushed to buy used laptops from the Henrico County school system.

The county was offering 1,000 used "I-Books" for $50 each to Henrico residents. Sales were limited to one computer per person.

People began lining up outside the racetrack complex overnight and rushed into the track area when the gates opened at 7 a.m. for the sale, which was scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

Several people suffered minor injuries in the stampede.

Blandine Alexander, 33, brought her 14-year-old twin sons to stand in line at 4:30 a.m. She told The Associated Press that she saw a mother pushing her daughter in a stroller trampled.

Alexander says a car pushing its way through the crowd at the gate nearly ran several people over.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Several people were injured at Richmond International Raceway Tuesday morning as thousands of people rushed to buy used laptops from the Henrico County school system.

The county was offering 1,000 used "I-Books" for $50 each to Henrico residents. Sales were limited to one computer per person.

People began lining up outside the racetrack complex overnight and rushed into the track area when the gates opened at 7 a.m. for the sale, which was scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

Several people suffered minor injuries in the stampede.

Blandine Alexander, 33, brought her 14-year-old twin sons to stand in line at 4:30 a.m. She told The Associated Press that she saw a mother pushing her daughter in a stroller trampled.

Alexander says a car pushing its way through the crowd at the gate nearly ran several people over.

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