Ireland

Irishman among four injured during Pamplona bull run

Emergency services treat ed the man for thoracic injuries described as ‘not severe’

Bulls jump over a runner on the first day of the San Fermin bull run festival in Pamplona. Photograph: EPA
Bulls jump over a runner on the first day of the San Fermin bull run festival in Pamplona. Photograph: EPA
Fiachradh McDermott
Fri Jul 07 2017 - 14:40

A 39-year-old Irish man suffered injuries in the Spanish city of Pamplona on Friday during the week-long bull-running festival.

Emergency services treated the man for thoracic injuries, which the hospital said were “not severe.”

A 46-year-old from Spain was also seriously injured after being gored in the back of his thigh, which resulted in a head injury as he fell. His injuries were reported as "severe."

Runners flee the bulls during the San Fermin festival. Photograph: AFP
Runners flee the bulls during the San Fermin festival. Photograph: AFP
Runners try and get out of the way as a bull runs past on the first day of the San Fermin bull run festival in Pamplona. Photograph: AFP
Runners try and get out of the way as a bull runs past on the first day of the San Fermin bull run festival in Pamplona. Photograph: AFP

Two other men from the US were injured in the run. One (29) was gored in the scrotum and the other (35) suffered a chest wound.

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The San Fermín festival usually attracts about 2,000 runners. The 875-metre run lasts just under three minutes as participants dressed in white with red neck scarves run from a dozen bulls.

Fifteen people have died in the run since 1911, with the last fatality occurring in 2009. In 2016, 87 people were injured.

The animals were from cattle breeder Cebada Gago in Andalucia, renowned for rearing dangerous bulls responsible for the most injuries in the history of the week-long San Fermin festival.