Elements of a stampede:
(1) A herd of large animals (cattle, horses, elephants, buffalo, etc).
(2) A sudden triggering event (see below).
(3) Immediate flight by the herd en masse in one direction.
(4) The herd will run over anything that gets in its way.
(5) The stampede continues until the animals run into an unmovable barrier, the animals are injured, or the animals stop from exhaustion.
Triggering events may include:
(1) lightning
(2) a sudden light
(3) an unexpected noise
(4) any unexpected movement
A stampede is more likely if the animals are nervous (skittish) and tightly packed. A stampede is less likely if the animals have just eaten or are asleep.
Harm can occur to:
(1) the stampeding animals
(2) any crops in the way
(3) buildings in the way
(4) people in the way
(5) other animals
Human injuries may take the form of:
(1) crush injury
(2) penetrating injury (if the animals have horns)
(3) asphyxia
