At least four gored at Pamplona bull running

Bulls gored at least four people today in a long and dangerous second sprint at the running of the bulls in Pamplona.

Two of the six fighting bulls, running along with six steers, became separated from the pack early in the 900 yard run – about the most dangerous thing that can happen at the San Fermin festival.

Runners carrying rolled-up newspapers taunted the rogue 1,300lb animals as beasts and humans alike made their mad dash through the old cobbled streets.

The bulls spun around often and charged at the runners, sending them scurrying for safety.

One runner pinned to the ground by a bull’s head and snout squirmed so desperately he lost both of his white training shoes.

The Spanish Red Cross reported at least four gorings.

Yesterday’s opening run – the first of eight – was easy by comparison, with the only reported injuries bumps and bruises from falls and minor tramplings.

It took about two-and-a-half minutes, compared to four-and-a-half today.

The scariest incident came late in the run as a stray black bull attacked a runner in the narrow alley leading into the bull ring, goring him repeatedly and dragging him along the ground like a toy, almost back out into the street. The man was bleeding from his thigh afterwards.

One of the bull’s horns ripped away part of a red bandanna the young man had been wearing. The cloth fluttered from the horn like a flag as the animal finally trotted into the arena.

With one last bull still out in the street, another goring came when a young man in a red tank-top ran up to the animal and waved his arms.

The animal charged and caught the youth in the leg, then again as he scrambled over a wooden fence.

Since record-keeping began in 1924, 13 people have been killed at the festival. The last fatality was a 22-year-old American who was gored to death in 1995.

The fiesta, famed for its all-night street parties, dates back to the late 16th century but gained worldwide fame from Ernest Hemingway’s 1926 novel The Sun Also Rises.

Running bulls through the town began simply as the easiest way to get them to the ring for bullfights, but eventually daredevils started running in front of them.