Escapee bull injures five fiesta spectators and smashes four cars
Escapee bull injures five fiesta spectators and smashes four cars
A BULL escaped at a fiesta in Gilet (Valencia province) on Monday, injuring five people and causing damage to four cars.
The animal had been released onto the road under controlled conditions as part of the San Antón festival, the highlight of which is normally the 'blessing of the animals' where members of the public bring their pets to be given 'communion' by the local priest in the street.
Luckily, the bull-running in Gilet does not take place at any time near when the animals are blessed.
The escapee bull managed to break free from the enclosure along the main street where he was running after having smashed down one of the barriers.
Witnesses say he broke the metal fence with just one head-butt and very little effort.
This caused widespread panic, especially since a marquee full of children was situated just 20 metres from where the loose bull was charging.
The five spectators who needed medical treatment only suffered minor injuries, with three suffering a twisted ankle, a sprain and bruised ribs and being attended to on site.
Another two were taken to hospital – one after tripping over whilst trying to run away from the bull and sustaining a cut to the head, and another who was pushed over by the charging animal.
Both have since been discharged.
Four parked cars were dented after the bull gored them, but the organisers' public liability insurance policy will cover the cost of repairs.
Around 100 spectators helped to herd the bull into its enclosure by forming a human chain and then running after him en masse until those in charge were able to get a lasso round him and tie him to a tree until the lorry came.
Police took photographs of the broken barrier for investigation purposes if necessary and a formal report will be sent to the regional government, but officers praised the fiesta organisers and bull handlers for their prompt and competent actions.
The fiestas did not stop as a result of the scare, but the bull-running was cancelled for the evening.
Cases such as Gilet are very rare, say bull-running organisers, since technicians are very prudent about fitting gates and barriers before letting the animals out.
This has been especially true in the last few years, with safety measures having become much tighter.
The last time a similar incident occurred in the Comunidad Valenciana was five years ago in Borriol (Castellón province).
A bull escaped after the handlers failed to fit the second security gate in time, running down the CV-10 for five kilometres.
His handlers finally caught up with him and managed to herd him into the lorry, and nobody was hurt.
