Mock bullfight at festival leaves man seriously injured

AN American man was seriously injured yesterday in a mock bullfight following the first day of the running of the bulls in Spain’s San Fermin festival.

The man, a 31-year-old from New York, was thrown in the bullring by one of five young cows released after the run. Officials said he could not move his legs and was taken to the Hospital de Navarra for an emergency operation. The man was identified only by his initials, RD.

“He is in a very serious condition and could be paralysed for life,” said Pello Pellejero, a Pamplona Government spokesman. A hospital official confirmed on condition of anonymity that the man was being operated on urgently.