Six gored in Pamplona bull run

Six people were gored, three seriously, and several others were injured by stampeding animals in Pamplona today - the first day of Spain’s internationally renowned San Fermin Fiesta.

Six heavily-muscled bulls ran through Pamplona’s crowded cobblestone streets in a five-minute dash to the arena, where they would later face bullfighters.

During the run, the bulls separated out instead of staying in a pack, making for a dangerous run as they lost their way and frequently charged the crowd standing on the sidelines or running ahead of the bulls.

American Jennifer Smith, of New Jersey, fell in front of a bull and suffered a deep gore wound to her right thigh. A spokesman at Navarra hospital said she was in a very serious condition.

Two other runners, including Pablo Fuertes Marraco, 25, of Pamplona, were also reported to be in serious conditions from gorings and were undergoing surgery, he added.

Also caught by the bulls’ horns was British citizen Abriel Mel, 22, whose home town was not given.

He was treated at the Navarra hospital for a gash in his right knee.

The other two runners gored were reported to be in good condition.

Some runners slipped on the cobblestones and fell in front of the bulls, suffering minor injuries from the flying hooves or the weight of the stumbling bulls.

Red Cross co-ordinator Rafa Cortijo said four people were treated at the scene for fractures and bruises.

The crowded run marked the start of the eight-day festival in this northern city.

The runs, or encierros, draw thousands of people from around the world.

The centuries-old festival, which features a non-stop street party, became internationally famous following the 1926 publication of Ernest Hemingway’s novel, The Sun Also Rises.

Since record-keeping began in 1924, 13 runners have died and more than 200 have been injured in the bull runs.

The last fatality was an American in 1995, whose death was the first since 1980.