Two British visitors were among those injured during the final Running of the Bulls at Spain’s famous San Fermín Festival, with an 86-year-old pensioner becoming the oldest participant hurt during this year’s event.
The elderly tourist, from Halesowen in England’s West Midlands, was injured during the final bull run on July 14 in the northern Spanish city of Pamplona. Officials said he suffered multiple injuries, including a bull horn wound to his left elbow as well as injuries to his eyebrow and right hand before being taken to hospital for treatment.
A second British participant, 24-year-old William Mitchinson, was also hospitalized after being knocked to the ground while attempting to outrun the six charging bulls and accompanying steers.
After receiving medical treatment, Mitchinson said he had continued running until one of the bulls knocked him over and trampled him. Visiting Pamplona for the first time after seeing the festival on social media, he said he might return in the future—but only to enjoy the celebrations rather than take part in the bull run.
Officials confirmed that 10 people were injured during the final run, which lasted approximately two minutes and 25 seconds. Two additional participants suffered serious goring injuries, including one man who was horned in the chest and another in the thigh.
During the event, one of the steers reportedly became separated from the group and charged toward several runners, adding to the chaos along the narrow streets of Pamplona’s historic center.
The final run concluded eight consecutive mornings of bull runs that attracted thousands of participants and spectators from around the world.
Earlier in the festival, another bull run resulted in numerous injuries, including one participant who suffered a facial goring, while several others required hospital treatment after falls and collisions with the animals.
The San Fermín Festival is one of Spain’s best-known cultural celebrations, drawing visitors every year for its traditional encierro, or Running of the Bulls. During the event, six fighting bulls are released each morning to run approximately 850 meters through the city’s streets toward the bullring while participants attempt to run ahead of them.
Although the festival is internationally famous, it also carries significant risks. Since official records began, 16 people have lost their lives during the annual bull runs, with serious injuries such as gorings, fractures, and head trauma occurring almost every year.
This year’s celebration also marked the 100th anniversary of the publication of Ernest Hemingway’s novel The Sun Also Rises, a book widely credited with introducing the San Fermín Festival to an international audience.
The Risks Behind a World-Famous Tradition
Despite its global popularity, the Running of the Bulls remains one of the world’s most dangerous public festivals. Safety experts continue to remind visitors that participating requires physical fitness, experience, and strict adherence to official guidelines. As international tourism grows, authorities face the ongoing challenge of balancing cultural traditions with public safety while reducing preventable injuries among first-time participants.
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