Man seriously gored by bull in Spain
February 16, 2015 7:17AM
Benjamin Miller, 20, from the US state of Georgia, was gored by a bull during the "Carnaval del Toro". Picture: Jose Vicente / AP Source: AP
A 20-year-old is in intensive-care after being savagely gored during a bullfighting festival celebrating Spanish Carnival, officials said Sunday.
Benjamin Miller, from the US state of Georgia, was gored and tossed by a large fighting bull on Saturday at the first day of the “Carnaval del Toro” in Ciudad Rodrigo, western Spain.
Benjamin Miller was tossed by a large fighting bull. Picture: Jose Vicente / AP Source: AP
He had injuries to his thighs, sphincter and back muscles. Picture: Jose Vicente / AP Source: AP
Surgeon Enrique Crespo said he was called to operate on 20-year-old.
“It’s the biggest goring wound I’ve ever had to operate on,” he told The Associated Press.
Miller underwent a three-hour operation to repair damage to thighs, sphincter and back muscles, Crespo said.
Two other men were injured during the events, town councillor Pedro Munoz said.
“One man from Scotland and a Spaniard from Salamanca were also injured,” he told AP.
Miller underwent three hours of surgery to repair the damage. Picture: Jose Vicente / AP Source: AP
The attending surgeon at the festival said Miller had the biggest gouge wound he’d ever operated on. Picture: Jose Vicente / AP Source: AP
Fiestas featuring bulls are common in Spain, and critics and aficionados alike agree that the events, which attract international audiences, are dangerous.
“Doctor Crespo is a world-renowned expert and we have a medically-equipped helicopter on standby every day of our annual fiesta,” Munoz said.
He said somewhere between 45,000 and 50,000 people had been attracted over the weekend to this year’s four-day fiesta, that includes afternoon bullfights and bull-running events.
Around 50,000 descended on the small city for the bull festival. Picture: Jose Vicente / AP Source: AP
