PAMPLONA, Spain – An American was gored in the leg and five other runners were injured Wednesday in the next-to-last running of the bulls at Pamplona’s San Fermin festival, officials said.
One of the six bulls crashed into a group of runners close to a fence, goring the American in the thigh and lifting at least two others in the air with his horns.
In a statement, the Navarra regional government identified the American as a 39-year-old with the initials M.L.O. and said his condition was not serious. There were no further details.
READ MORE: 5 injured on 6th day of Pamplona bull run in Spain
The statement said four Spaniards and another American were also being treated in city hospitals for bruises.
More than 1,000 people took part in the 8 a.m. (0600 GMT, 2 a.m. EDT) dash with six fighting bulls and their accompanying steer along a 930-yard (850-meter) street course to the city’s bull ring. The bulls then face matadors and almost certain death in afternoon bullfights.
The nationally televised run lasted 2 1/2 minutes.
The nine-day fiesta, known also for its 24-hour street partying, became world famous with Ernest Hemingway’s 1926 novel “The Sun Also Rises.” It attracts thousands of foreign tourists.
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Bull runs are a traditional part of summer festivals across Spain.
Twelve people, including four Americans, have been gored since the runs started July 7.
In all, 15 people have died from gorings at the festival since record-keeping began in 1924.
—
Giles reported from Madrid.
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