Death in Running of the Bulls dampens spirits at Pamplona San Fermin Festival
A man was gored to death in the fourth encierro at Pamplona’s running of the bulls. Daniel Jimeno Romero, 27, from Alcala de Henares, was gored in the neck and lung as he was trying to get to a protective barrier during the run. Romero was on vacation with his parents and his girlfriend, according to the Associated Press.
“He had run at the festival of San Fermin in previous years, as had his father, who is from Pamplona,” said John Rhodes, of BullRunning.com.
There is video on BullRunning.com from local Spanish television RTVE that shows the bull getting separated from the pack and how the pastores who wear green and carry sticks attempted to get the rogue bull to run in the right direction. Capuchino, the bull that gored Romero, got separated from the pack, a dangerous thing to happen during the run. Isolated bulls can become disoriented and are more likely to start charging people.
“The spirits are noticeably dampened at the festival today. However the party goes on. I heard that they are going to have a moment of silence before all the official events today,” Rhodes said.
The above picture shows Capuchino charging and tossing another person. This person was not badly injured, but the photo llustrates the disoriented bull in action.
“The bulls used in Friday’s run, from a ranch called Jandilla, have a reputation for being fierce at San Fermin. They hold the record for the most gorings in a single run— eight, one day in 2004,” the Associated Press reported.
Deaths are uncommon during the Running of the Bulls. There have only been 15 since 1924.
There are four encierros left in the festival of San Fermin. Historically a serious injury or death doesn’t affect the number of runners the next day. Even larger crowds are expected at the festival over the weekend.
“If you fall, stay down in the fetal position. This has saved many runners from being gored,” Rhodes said. “At BullRunning.com we offer information on how to prepare for this event. However, today’s tragedy reminds us that this is an inherently dangerous event and no amount of preparation can eliminate all risk.”
—Jen Leo, Los Angeles Times Travel & Deal blogger
[Top Photo: Daniel Jimeno Romero being taken by paramedics at the fourth encierro in the festival of San Fermin. Second photo: Disoriented bull charging another person in the fourth encierro in the festival of San Fermin. Credit: BullRunning.com]
21 Comments on “Death in Running of the Bulls dampens spirits at Pamplona San Fermin Festival”
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July 10th, 2009 at 11:34 am
What a horrible thing for these bulls. They are frightened and running scared being chased an tormented by thousands of people. For what??? Of course something like this would happen. Leave the animals where they belong. Not on roads with foolish people that have no respect for the animal. Sorry for the family, but sounds like dad enjoyed this “sport” as well. Not the animals fault .
July 10th, 2009 at 11:41 am
how about BANNING this ridiculous so-called ’sport’, and live with a CONSCIENCE about the INHUMANE treatment of the BULLS!! this event HAS BEEN BANNED in other parts of the world…IT’S TIME NOW to end it EVERYWHERE!!
July 10th, 2009 at 11:49 am
It´s so sad to hear that a young guy died like that. Maybe it´s time to change something there, no?
July 10th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Natural selection at work.
July 10th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
I’m sorry for the family of the man who was killed.
I’m sorry for the bulls that will be tortured and killed.
I’m sorry for the bulls that were tormented on their way to be killed. Notice the laughing and cheering and clapping at the “disoriented”, “rogue” bull.
July 10th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Murphy’s law at its best! We all know what happens when you mess with the bull.
July 10th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
As tragic as this is, and I have been in Pamplona for the last three deaths, including today’s, this shows just how dangerous it can be when running with the bulls in Pamplona, even when you are a veteran runner.
July 10th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Bullfighting, the running of the bulls and blood fiestas are all forms of animal torture which are carried out in the name of ‘tradition’ or ‘religion’. They are totally unacceptable and anyone who chooses to participate in the running of the bulls is risking injury or death and does not deserve an ounce of sympathy should they suffer either. Cappuccino gave the runners a taste of their own medicine before facing his own bloody death at the hands of a cowardly matador. Good on ya Cappuccino!
July 10th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Gora san fermin…gora gora
July 11th, 2009 at 10:46 am
He died doing what he likes most !!
Soldiers are dying in Irak and Pakistan doind what they like most !!
July 11th, 2009 at 10:49 am
He dies doing what he likes most !!
Soldiers also died in Irak and Pakistan doing what they like most !! Crazy world we live on !!
July 11th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Tho it has been said before, BAN the bullfights AND this running of the bulls. Bulls are vicious undomesticatable brute beasts that can NOT be housebroken. There is NO purpose in bullfighting, other than animal sacrifices that predate the pseudo-Christian culture that indulges in it now.
July 12th, 2009 at 2:20 am
This is plain animal cruelty. To do this to an animal is simply torture. Any person that gets hurt (or killed for that matter)while harming these animals deserves it.
July 12th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
“Bulls are vicious undomesticatable brute beasts that can NOT be housebroken.”
Only an idiot would assign the very human trait of viciousness to an animal.
July 13th, 2009 at 8:42 am
very sad to hear about the man’s death. it is a crazy tradition. interesting debate about whether the custom should be banned: https://www.mindreign.com/en/mindshare/World-Politics-and-Current-Events/Stop-the-Running-of-the-Bulls-3f-No-Way-/sl34045952bp314cpp10pn1.html
July 18th, 2009 at 7:46 am
There is NOTHING cruel about a herd of bulls running down the street. It is not in the LEAST bit inhumane. No one forces the runners to run, they WANT to run. Long live San Fermin!!!!
July 18th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
First, My sympathy goes out to the young man’s family. Second, I am upset with the people who judge another country’s traditions. Americans need to stop trying to push their views on people in other countries. Maybe if we stopped telling the rest of the world that they’re doing things wrong, and tried to understand their culture they would stop hating us. I have had friends who in the past participated in the Running of the Bulls and said it was the most exhilarating thing they had ever done. The bulls are not usually harmed during the running of the bulls.
July 19th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Americans wouldn’t criticize other nation’s pasttimes if these past times weren’t so STUPID.
July 24th, 2009 at 2:01 am
When you abuse and torture an animal, don’t be surprised when it defends itself.
I’d like to pretend to be sympathetic towards the family, but I’d be lying. The only victims are the bulls.
Capuchino doesn’t know any better. But Daniel Jimeno Romero had 27 years to try to become a civilized human being. He failed.
September 19th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
The best comment on here is from “Bill” it tells it like it is:
“Natural selection at work”
Thanks Bill, that says it all.
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:21 am
I agree, El Encierro is a tradition that extends back to the 16th century when it had more of a practical purpose. Why should we tell another country how to hold their annual festivities? I mean we die the river green in Chicago on St. Patrick’s Day.