Like Christmas coming once a year, so too do I look forward to Pampalona's Unlike previous coverage (here, here, and here), I can finally, proudly report that a foolhardy daredevil lost the epic battle between giant rampaging beast and moron. A charging bull gored a young Spanish man to death, the first such fatality in nearly 15 years. Nine others were injured in a particularly dangerous and chaotic chapter (aren't they all?) of the running of the bulls.
Pamplona officials identified the man as Daniel Jimeno Romero (27), who was on vacation with his parents and girlfriend, who identified him. The San Fermin festival Web site said Romero was gored in the neck and lung during a run in which a rogue bull named Capuchino separated from the pack, which is among the worst things that can happen at Spain's most popular fiesta. They say that isolated bulls are more likely to get disoriented and start charging at people, though I don't see much difference between being in the cross hairs of one bull or having a whole pack bearing down on you.
Amateur video broadcast by Spanish TV showed Romero trotting backwards, facing the oncoming bull, when he tripped over other runners and fell down. The Spaniard then tried to squeeze feet-first under a wooden fence serving as a protective barrier, when the bull came up up and gored him in the neck with its right horn. Romero instantly bled (profusely, I might add), lying face up as medics tried to save him. Three other people were gored during the run, and six people suffered bumps, bruises and other lesser injuries.
Among the injured was a 61-year-old American (U.S.A.! U.S.A.!) who was struck in the chest and had internal bleeding in his lungs. Doctors said he was in intensive care but that his condition was not considered life-threatening, although his low level of intelligence could prove to be. The man was identified by his initials, E.P.S., but his full name was not released...so if you know a particularly dim, older guy by E.P.S., get to a florist. Also injured in the run was a 20-year-old from London, and a 24-year-old Argentine. Another American (U.S.A.! U.S.A.!), a 63-year-old identified by the initials K.L., injured an elbow. Hmmm, maybe old Americans shouldn't do the run.
The festival ends Tuesday, and there was no indication that the remaining bull runs would be canceled because of the death. Friday's death raises to 15 the toll since record-keeping began in 1924. This run, the fourth of eight, was by far the most perilous of this year's festival. The bulls used in 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 bulls used in the runs face matadors and almost certain death the same afternoon in the Pamplona bullring, so at least they can feel good about taking out a person before getting slaughtered.
No comments:
Post a Comment