New Jersey

American Gored in Next-to-Last San Fermin Bull Run: Spain

The Navarra regional government said the man's condition was not serious

An American was gored 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 Mathew Labin, 39, in the thigh and lifting at least two others in the air with its horns.

The Navarra regional government said Labin's condition was not serious. His passport showed he was born in New Jersey, the hospital said, but it had no information about his current residence.

Four Spaniards were treated in city hospitals for bruises. Navarra Hospital said another American, Jake Ramirez, 53, was treated for an ankle injury and released. It had no details of his residence.

More than a thousand people took part in the 8 a.m. dash with six fighting bulls and their accompanying steer along a 930-yard 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 2½ 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.

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 being gored at the festival since record-keeping began in 1924.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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