Police called in to control 1,000 person iPhone 6 crowd at Metrotown Apple Store (PHOTOS)
Thousands of Metro Vancouverites braced the overnight cold and rain by lining up outside Apple Stores at Metrotown, Pacific Centre and Richmond Centre to be some of the first people to own the new iPhone 6 smartphone.
Approximately 1,000 people were in the line outside Metrotown just before the mall’s opening hours. However, at about 4 a.m., nearly all available Burnaby RCMP officers had to be called in when the crowd became unruly, according to a tweet by CBC’s Steve Lus. There were an estimated 200 people rushing to the front of the line, which overwhelmed the 10 security guards.
Rcmp supervisor told me they called almost every available officer to #metrotown at 0430 to calm crowd. #cbc #iphone6 — Steve Lus (@stevecbc) September 19, 2014
There were also long lines at Richmond Centre and Pacific Centre, with estimates ranging between 500 to 600 people at each location just before opening time. At Pacific Centre, the line snaked its way around the entire city block.
The lines at all three malls began forming at least 24 hours prior to the start of the sale. Prospective buyers were seen with tents, sleeping bags, blankets, chairs and layers of warm clothing.
The Metrotown store opened at 8 a.m., but within 30 minutes all stock of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus had been sold out. Stock at other stores have since run out.
The new iPhone 6 comes in two different large sizes and comes with a full Retina HD display, slimmer design, faster processing chip, improved battery life, WiFi calling, and new camera features pertaining with a new sensor, image stabilization and time lapse capability.
In Canada, starting prices for the no contract/unlocked smartphones are $749 for the iPhone 6 and $859 for the iPhone 6 Plus.
Metrotown iPhone 6 line up
There’s a hobo convention outside of Metrotown-oh wait it’s just the iPhone 6 line up. — Melissa Dex Guzman (@m3lissa) September 19, 2014
#iphone line is crazy. 200 ppl just rushed the front of the line, & started pushing; police here now. #metrotown pic.twitter.com/r9XmeCFR9c — G.Nanda (@TheyCallMeGullz) September 19, 2014
Metrotown at 5:30 am. I still haven’t figured out how to deal with people with reservations. #iphone6 pic.twitter.com/FgAnnWfjPN — Don Lekei (@techpotato) September 19, 2014
iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus sold out in 30 minutes #Apple #iPhone6Plus #iphone6line @CTVVancouver @GlobalBC pic.twitter.com/lc2kCo0Ygu — Taran Sanghera (@300Taran) September 19, 2014
#appleiphone6 lineup #metrotown pic.twitter.com/f6ZFkTZ9aD — edy (@edyservices) September 18, 2014
@iphoneincanada metrotown lineup pic.twitter.com/fTILPoUCO7 — Rick (@Justrick2003) September 19, 2014
HOLY SHIT!! This line to get the iPhone doe!!! #Apple #AppleStore #iPhone6 #metrotown pic.twitter.com/id7c093w0w — Ace Cabebe (@HeyItsIan14) September 19, 2014
@iPhoneinCanada pic.twitter.com/TSJBjYKOKk — Rick (@Justrick2003) September 19, 2014
Metrotown at 5:30 am. I still haven’t figured out how to deal with people with reservations. #iphone6 pic.twitter.com/FgAnnWfjPN — Don Lekei (@techpotato) September 19, 2014
#rcmp were called out to #metrotown in #burnaby at 0430. Estimated crowd of 1000 in line for #iPhone6 . #cbc pic.twitter.com/h5FFE6FUoX — Steve Lus (@stevecbc) September 19, 2014
#rcmp estimated 1000 ppl in line at metrotown at 0430. I’ll eat my #iphone5 if there are more than 450 now. #cbc pic.twitter.com/bjtCKfYTlA — Steve Lus (@stevecbc) September 19, 2014
Metrotown”s Apple store gets ready for the rush for the iPhone. About 600 have lined up for it. #cbc pic.twitter.com/V6Xw9wlDDW — tim weekes (@cbctweekes) September 19, 2014
Some estimates put the iPhone crowd at one thousand people in Metrotown. Police were called to maintain order. #cbc pic.twitter.com/4JdfUQxC84 — tim weekes (@cbctweekes) September 19, 2014
Today is the launch of the #iPhone6! Apparently the madness is just crazy at #Metrotown. #BeCareful #SiriSaveUs — Jordan Daniels (@Jordan_Daniels) September 19, 2014
Pacific Centre iPhone 6 line up
Oh me? I’m just taking photos of the iPhone 6 line up with my five year old blackberry. #Vancouver pic.twitter.com/SpWsSFh3HY
— Dale Flood (@daleflood) September 19, 2014
Overnight lineup around Pacific Centre for iphone 6 goes down the block. Seriously? C’mon nerds. pic.twitter.com/VRYNFs0zPl — Warren Frey (@freyburg) September 19, 2014
There’s 300 people in line at Pacific Centre for the iPhone whatever. 299 are Asian. @tgkfilms Please respond. pic.twitter.com/1rEHTS8b2w — Blair Law (@BlairLaw18) September 19, 2014
Lineup for iPhone 6 at Pacific Centre all the way down the block #Vancouver pic.twitter.com/FPCqs1oNPg — Farhan Mohamed (@farhanmohamed) September 19, 2014
#iphone6 release mayhem at Pacific Centre in Vancouver. Lineup started two days ago. pic.twitter.com/SloLkkzPXN — Adnan Hussain (@tvmanbc) September 19, 2014
Richmond Centre iPhone 6 line up
So..people go camping outside Richmond Centre for Iphone6/6plus⛺️ #Richmond #iPhone @VancityBuzz pic.twitter.com/5QI9QBvxpH — Sandreana Chan (@SandreanaChan) September 18, 2014
A teachers strike @richmond_centre? Nah, just @Apple enthusiasts braving rain for #iPhone6 #iPhone6Plus #RichmondBC pic.twitter.com/E59fCIyAti — Martin van den Hemel (@MartinvandenH) September 19, 2014
Lineup outside of #RichmondCentre right now,/for those who can’t wait for a bite of that #Apple. Ready,set,spend! pic.twitter.com/Tvws2fhqKj — Justinne Ramirez (@JustinneRamirez) September 19, 2014
@SY_Roadtrip #omgsomanypeople #applerocks #richmondcentre pic.twitter.com/FBGJ27RVeY — Deborah (@DebtheHRlady) September 19, 2014
@drex Same stupid crowd at @richmond_centre @APPLEOFFIClAL location. People are so freaking #stupid. Get a grip!!!! pic.twitter.com/RMlX01JPjA — Fu#kBucket (@PeepsRichmond) September 19, 2014
24 hrs away but long lines already for iPhone 6 at Rmd Centre #iPhone6 #Apple #richmondcentre #richmond #iphone pic.twitter.com/Fho33czgeJ — Henry Au (@ahenrycc84) September 18, 2014
Over 200 ppl in line at Richmond centre two nights before iPhone 6 release #longwaitahead #iphone6 @iphysed pic.twitter.com/MW9oXlER7u — Steve Lai(@sly111) September 18, 2014
Feature Image: @justrick2003 via Twitter
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