The Tickle Me Elmo craze that caused a Walmart employee to get trampled, 1996

In the mid-1990s, kids went crazy for Tickle Me Elmo -- and so did their parents in trying to acquire the popular toy -- crazy enough to trample a Walmart employee.

The pushing-and-shoving for the doll led to at least one actual injury at a Fredericton Walmart.

Media reports said 300 people had lined up for their shot at landing one of 48 Elmos that were being offered in a special pre-dawn sale that was held in December of 1996.

"Somebody in the crowd yelled: 'There's the Elmos!' and they rushed us," said Robert Waller, a store clerk who was then trampled by charging customers. He was taken to hospital for treatment.



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