Since the first death in 1922, 15 people have died in the bull running in Pamplona. Daniel Jimeno Romero, who died during the 2009 Pamplona Running of the Bulls after being corroded, is the most recent person to die during the annual celebration.
Fermín Etxeberría Irañeta suffered fatal injuries when struck by a bull’s horn in 2003, but the most notable death was that of Matthew Tassio, a 22-year-old American who died in 1995. Tassio’s death gained international attention because he was the only foreigner who died during a career since the Mexican Gonzalo Bustinduy was assassinated in 1935.
Although deaths are quite rare, 50 to 100 people have been injured annually in the race. Running with the bulls at the San Fermín festival in Pamplona is a very dangerous activity that is not recommended for most tourists.
The high-profile passing of Matthew Tassio
Of the 15 runners who died in the running of the bulls in Pamplona, 13 of them were from Spain, 11 of which were from the nearby city of Navarra. However, the death that received the most attention worldwide was that of American Matthew Tassio.
Most of the time, native Spaniards who die during the race receive a small review of his death, but Tassio’s passing was written about Europe and North America. According to a BBC article on the death of Matthew Tassio:
«The fighting bull that raised him weighed half a ton. He hit him in the abdomen, cut a main artery, cut his kidney and punctured his liver, before throwing him seven meters (23 feet) into the air.
The graphic details and international attention to Tassio’s passing fueled a global conversation about increasing racing safety through observing Tassio’s downfall. A reporter on the now-defunct Bullrunners website called Tassio “sadly unprepared … as evidenced by his shorts with a sweater wrapped around his waist, probably to protect himself from the cold air from the night before.”
Tips for running with the bulls
Injuries are quite common, and although fatalities are rare, they can be avoided by following some tips and advice that runners have picked up over the years when observing other injured or injured during the Bullfight.
In Tassio’s case, the Bullrunners reporter says his biggest mistake was breaking the “cardinal rule of lockdown : get down, stay down.” This rule is the first step in avoiding being disturbed by a charging bull’s horn – by staying low, the bull’s horns will likely go over you, but others may step on you.
Another common injury that occurs during running is that one person falls and several others fall on the other, creating a build-up. If the group of runners does not break apart and keep moving quickly, the bulls often charge directly into the pile, tearing the people in it.
If you are planning to run with the bulls in Pamplona, seriously consider the risks and be sure to follow all the safety tips on Running the bulls in Pamplona, including wearing appropriate clothing, knowing how to dodge bulls when they get too close, and properly preparing for a 825-meter sprint for your life.
