Four gored on fifth day of Spanish bull run

Charging bulls tossed, gored and terrified human daredevils today as this year’s San Fermin festival served up its longest and most dangerous run yet, with at least four people gored.

The pack of six 1,300-pound bulls and six steers – meant to keep the bulls running in a safe pack – disintegrated shortly after the animals set off on the mad dash through the cobblestone streets of Pamplona in the fifth of eight planned runs.

At least one stray bull turned around and started running the wrong way. Cowherds with long sticks smacked the bull in the rump to save runners scurrying for safety and get the animal pointed in the right direction.

At another point a bull picked up a runner clad in the traditional red-and-white garb of San Fermin and tossed him as if he were a toy.

Several runners were trampled and at least four were injured by bulls’ horns, Spanish National Television said, quoting the Red Cross.

The run lasted five and a half minutes, compared with the normal length of about two minutes, because the bulls separated – the most dangerous thing that can happen at Pamplona.