DISASTER AT A BARGAIN SALE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14145, 21 August 1909, Page 2 (Supplement)

DISASTER AT A BARGAIN SALE.

PANIC AT AMERICAN STORE.

Sensational advertising methods and the mania for -hunting that exists amongst American women were responsible for a serious disaster in New York.

The scene of the accident was at Kreagft's Stores, some newly-opened premises, whose proprietors, in order to attract attention, had advertised a certain number of wonderful dinner-services to he sold at' fivepence per set. Between 600 and 700 women flocked to Kreage's in answer to the advertisement, each struggling to be amongst the lucky i first-comers entitled to buy the dinner-sets. The women, many of whom were carrying babies or leading children by the band, fought to get near the counter, and some of them became hysterical in the struggle. Some then began to try to get out, and in the confusion a cry was raised, which was taken to bo "Fire!" Then a mad rush for the staircase was made by the crowd on the second floor. Women and children were knocked down and trampled on. Many began to jump over the balustrade, where they formed a struggling mare on the floor. Others jumped down among them, screaming and groan-

mg. ■ One little girl of seven had her skull fractured, and is believed to be dying. Twelve ' women, and children were taken, seriously sinjured, to St. Mary's Hospital, and fifty ';; others'' were * removed,; with -more or less -serious-injuries, to their homes. .•'■•"*'•"