Spain: 1 man gored, 7 injured in Pamplona bull run

A main danger of Saturday’s event occurred when one of the six bulls became detached from the other five and began to attack runners following behind, rather than continue its headlong chase with its companions. The last death was recorded in 2009.

Participants run ahead a Jose Escolar Gil’s fighting bull on the third day of the San Fermin bull run festival in Pamplona, northern Spain on July 9, 2016.

The first man was gored just seconds after the bulls were released from their pen on the second day of the nine-day festival, known as the San Fermines, so they could start the half-mile run through Pamplona’s old town.

The regional government said one American, 55 and identified by the initials P.G.O. and another aged 23 years with the initials W.R.O., were gored but their injuries were reported to be less serious. Revelers from around the world arrive in Pamplona every year to take part, during the eight days of the running of the bulls. Spanish picadors or mounted bullfighters assistants get ready before a bullfight of the San Fermin Fiestas in Pamplona, Spain, Friday, July 8, 2016.

A government statement said a 33-year-old Japanese man and a 24-year-old Spaniard were gored.

Speaking outside of the hospital, Campbell says one man tried to protect her after she fell as one of the bulls came up behind her. She says her husband pulled the beast away by the horn. Both were considered to be in fair condition.

According to Reuters the bull’s horn pierced his chest in the town of Teruel in an eastern region of Spain during a fight.

More than 1,000 people took part in the run, which lasted almost six minutes, twice the normal running time. The assault had triggered protests in Pamplona.

Dramatic TV images showed two half-ton bulls attacking runners after becoming separated from the pack as it sprinted through the streets of Pamplona in northern Spain.