Black Friday shoppers at the Target in South Charleston, West Virginia, allegedly walked around, and over, fellow customer Walter Vance after he collapsed while shopping for Christmas decorations, MSNBC is reporting. The 61-year-old Logan County resident became ill while shopping, and later died after being taken to the hospital.
Vance entered the Target shortly after midnight on Friday, November 25, 2011. He was searching for decorations to complete his display at his newly remodeled work area at the Aracoma Drug Company in Chapman. An E.R. nurse noticed he was on the floor, and tried to administer CPR, with the help of an off-duty paramedic.
Vance began working at the Aracoma Drug Company when he was 16 years old, and became a co-owner in the 1970s. His co-worker, Annette Fortune, said he was excited about Christmas this year, and wanted everyone to enjoy the holiday as much as he did.
While he suffered from heart problems for years, and even had open heart surgery in 2000, Vance’s death came as a shock to his friends. His co-worker, Beth Wright, said the company lost one of its best bosses. Vance’s fellow co-worker, Sue Compton, added “How could you not notice someone was in trouble? I just don’t understand if people didn’t help, what their reason was, other than greed because of a sale.”
Written by: Karen Benardello
