Man bleeds to death after bull repeatedly gores him at Spanish festival

A man has died at a Spanish festival after being knocked to the ground and gored by a young bull.

The unnamed 26-year-old was standing near some steps at the El Pinós fiestas, Alicante, when the animal was released into the square on August 1.

It then thrust its horns into his leg, causing him to suffer an eight-inch gash to his calf.

The man was helped to his feet and given emergency medical treatment from doctors on-site, before being rushed to Elda Hospital.

But the injury had affected an artery in his leg and he bled to death while on the operating table.

The next morning, town hall officials held a minute’s silence and the following day of the festival was cancelled out of respect.

After hearing of the man’s death, the mayor of El Pinós, Lázaro Azorín, said he was ‘heartbroken’, adding that the start of the festival ‘could not have been sadder’.

He continued: ‘I wish to convey my most sincere condolences to the young man’s family at this difficult time.’

A funeral for the man, from the town of Petrer, will be held today just before 6pm.

Event organiser Francisco Albert said the man was a professional at the festival and had known the risks involved when working with bulls.

He said: ‘He certainly wasn’t a novice. The first time the animal got him nothing happened but the second time it trapped him against the steps and that’s when it gored him.

‘It affected an artery and he died on the operating table at hospital after receiving emergency medical attention from doctors here.’

The use of bulls at fiestas across Spain still continues to divide the country, with traditions of bull running and bull-fighting dating back centuries.

In recent years, the events have come under increasing scrutiny due to the number of injuries caused to both humans and animals involved.

Additional reporting by Natalia Penza.