Teen dies in bull run
2009-08-19 00:39
Madrid - A 16-year-old boy was killed at a bull run in northeastern Spain on Tuesday, three days after another teenager was seriously injured at a bull run near Madrid, local officials said.
Alex Malo Arbiol was taking part in the event in the village of Cabanillas in the region of Navarra when he was knocked to the ground by a bull, the mayor of the village, Ana Maria Rodriguez, told news radio Cadena Ser.
"The boy got up and walked towards a fence, but when he reached the fence he collapsed," she said.
Arbiol was taken to a hospital in the city of Tudela where he died and Cabanillas interrupted it annual festival honouring its patron saint in a sign of mourning.
Minors
His death has revived a debate over minors taking part in bull runs.
The regional government of Navarra said the bull run met all legal requirements as the region bans only those younger than 16 from taking part.
Another 16-year-old boy remains in hospital in critical condition after he was gored by a bull during a bull run on Sunday in Leganes, a working-class city located southwest of Madrid.
During a bull run crowds race ahead of a pack of thundering bulls along a course through urban street to the town bullring where a bullfight will be staged.
Arbiol's death brings to five the number of people who have been killed in bull runs or bullfights so far this year.
- SAPA