This is the horrific moment a rampaging bull crashed through a security barrier, goring one man to death and seriously injuring three others, including a three-year-old girl.
The terrifying incident occurred in Pantoja, Toledo, Spain, during its patron saint festivities and has prompted renewed calls for a ban on bull runs.
Witnesses said the three gored people “didn’t stand a chance” as the bull ran through an enclosed passageway but knocked down a barrier at the end of the course, even though the gate was made of iron.
Horrifying video shows the moment the bull burst through the gate amid terrifying screams from onlookers.
The deceased lived in the neighbouring town of Illescas and was 80 years old. The girl and her grandfather are residents of Pantoja, according to the mayor of the municipality.
Spanish activists have demanded an end to the tradition, reiterating warnings about the dangers of involving bulls in festivities and the possibility of escapes.
This is the horrific moment a rampaging bull crashed through a security barrier in a Spanish village, goring a man to death and seriously injuring three others, including a three-year-old girl.
Witnesses said the three gored people “didn’t stand a chance” as the bull ran through an enclosed passageway but knocked down a barrier at the end of the course, even though the gate was made of iron.
The girl was hit in the face but is recovering in hospital. Her grandparents were also injured but are not in danger of dying.
The grandmother was gored in the thigh, but the wound was clean, which reduced its severity.
The incident prompted a swift response from the security forces. The local police intervened and shot down the bull to put an end to the danger.
Civil Guard officers, a mobile intensive care unit, a life support ambulance and the Pantoja civil protection group also attended the scene.
In addition, a team from the Judicial Police has taken charge of the investigation to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The bull run was part of the program of the patron saint festivities in honor of Santa Barbara, which are celebrated in Pantoja from September 20 to 28.
Following the tragic incident, the mayor of the municipality declared that the town was “devastated” by what had happened and declared official mourning.
The mayor has called a meeting with local clubs and associations to assess whether all remaining festivities should be cancelled.
Speaking to the media from the bullring in the town where the running of the bulls was due to end on Tuesday, the mayor, Julián Torrejón, explained that both the little girl and the grandparents were outside the route that the animal was due to take.
‘We are very sorry, we send our deepest condolences to the family and the world of bullfighting,’ he said.
Apparently, and according to his testimony, the bull ‘charged against the bars and one of them broke’, after which the bull left the course and went into an adjacent lot.
Apparently, and according to his testimony, the bull “launched itself against the bars and one of them broke”, after which the bull left the course and went into an adjacent lot.
“Everything is in order, we have our insurance and our permits from the Regional Government and the Provincial Council, and the Government delegate was there. We were checking the route minutes before and everything was correct,” said the mayor.
This is the third death related to bull runs in Toledo in just two months.
Activists say they are always warning about the dangers and the possibility of leaks.
They have sent an urgent letter to the Spanish Ombudsman to investigate the injuries caused to this girl and the fact that there are minors in areas that pose a risk to their physical integrity and their own lives.
They are calling for immediate action, the first of which should be “a decree banning the participation and access of minors, with the ultimate goal of strict protection of these vulnerable groups.”
PACMA has called for political responsibility following the tragedy in Pantoja: ‘This unfortunate event once again highlights the risks inherent in bullfighting, where the lives of both animals and people are exposed to extremely dangerous situations.’
The animal rights group has once again criticised this type of celebration, which “not only causes unnecessary suffering for the animals, but also creates situations of insecurity and risk for those attending and the general public.”
“The fact that a bull has to be shot by the local police demonstrates the lack of control and the serious consequences of these festivals, which every year leave tragic and painful incidents in their wake,” said Javier Luna, president of the association.