Man, 20, gored to death during bull-run in second fatality at festival in Spain

A MAN has been gored to death during a bull-running festival in Spain as animal campaigners are calling again for the sport to be banned.

The fatality, described by the local council as “an unfortunate accident”, happened in El Casar in the province of Guadalajara in Castille-La Mancha.

The 20-year-old man died from his injuries after taking part in the festival

The victim had been taking part in the traditional bull runs on Saturday.

He died of his severe injuries today at La Paz University Hospital in Madrid, where he had been transferred.

The young man was gored in the bullring of this town at the start of the last bull run through the countryside included in the programme of the patron saint festivities of this town of 12,000 inhabitants.

He was initially taken in a mobile ICU to the University Hospital of Guadalajara, but given the severity of his injuries – the goring had affected a lung – he was evacuated to the University Hospital of La Paz.

Following his death, El Casar council declared three days of official mourning.

“We deeply regret the unfortunate accident that occurred during the bullfighting festivities during the patron saint festivities and as a sign of mourning we have decided to lower the flags that fly outside municipal buildings to half-mast, to hang a black crepe on the flags located inside municipal buildings and to suspend all official public events organised by the El Casar council for the duration of the official mourning,” reported the mayor, José Luis González Lamola.

The tragedy is the second to hit the town. Another man, aged 51, died at the end of August in another bull run held in Mesones, a district belonging to El Casar, when he slipped on a fence while trying to escape from the bulls.

After these two deaths in two bull runs, the Animal Defence Association of El Casar expressed its solidarity with the families of both victims and questioned through a statement the organisation of this type of bullfighting show.

“Beyond the legal issues, these incidents generate expenses and consequences that affect all citizens, even those who oppose these events,” said a spokesman.

“The pain for this new victim is deep and part of our fight consists of preventing tragedies like this from continuing to occur.”

And the association added: “Is this the best way to invest our resources and enjoy our leisure time?

“This kind of event not only puts people and animals at risk but also exposes children to traumatic situations that can shape their perception of the world.

“The well-being of people and respect for animals must be priorities in modern society and it is our responsibility to rethink whether these events reflect the values ​​we want to promote.”

The campaigners are pressing for “safer, more educational entertainment that encourages the healthy enjoyment of free time, without risk to the physical or moral integrity of our community.”