Man Fatally Gored During Running of the Bulls Event

A 27 year-old Spanish man named Daniel Jimeno Romero was fatally gored in the neck and lung on Friday, July 10, 2009, during the annual Running of the Bulls event of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain. Romero had been vacationing in Pamplona with his parents and girlfriend. This incident occurred on the fourth of eight daily bull runs that occur during this week in July each year.

Apparently, the bulls frequently travel in a pack during this gruesome tradition, but one of the bulls separated from the rest of its pack due to a fall early on in the event. The bulls’ hooves have a difficult time getting a good grip on the paved and cobblestone streets along the run. According to a report from the Associated Press, “A bull that gets separated is more likely to get frightened and aggressive, and this is what happened Friday.”

Graphic footage of the deadly incident is available on various websites.

In addition to Romero’s mortal wounding, nine others were also injured in Friday’s race. There have been a total of 14 fatalities since 1924, when record keeping for this event began. This does not count the almost certain death each of the bulls suffer when encountering a matador in the bullring at the end of the race.

The most recent fatality took place in 1995, when American Matthew Tassio was gored in the abdomen. 63 year-old Fermin Etxeberria had his head trampled by a bull during the 2003 bull run. After spending months in a coma, he died as a result of his injuries.

This incident raises concerns as to whether this tradition should be continued.