Florida money grab injures 12

Could the sight of $10,000 bring out the best in people?

An attempt to encourage generosity has backfired in the US state of Florida, where a self-styled Money Man unleashed a stampede by launching $10,000 into the air.

Twelve people were injured in the scramble at the Baywalk shopping and entertainment centre in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Six were taken to hospital - the most serious injury being a suspected broken arm.

The money was fired by a "cash cannon" operated by Kevin Shelton, a local businessman known as the Money Man.

Mr Shelton says he began doling out cash two years ago, as a way to brighten people's day and spark generosity.

Trampled

But when thousands of $2 bills began raining down at Saturday's event, few onlookers were moved to altruism.

Lashanwnda Martin, a 14-year-old high-school student, told the Miami Herald newspaper she fell to the ground and lay crying as people stepped over her.

The paper says Mr Shelton seemed unaware of any incident.

''People got hurt?'' he asked afterward. He said that was not his intent.

Baywalk spokeswoman Lisa Brock said the centre would assess the event to see whether anything should have been done differently.