What happened in the Pamplona Bull Run 2014: (6th to the 14th)

 

PAMPLONA BULL RUN NEWS 2014:

On the 6th of July 2014, officials fired off the Chupinazo-to mark the beginning of the this years San Fermin Festival. Millions of people flock to Pamplona to join in the annual festival. The festival; which sees people dance in wine-soaked-clothes and smiles upon their face, come together to celebrate San Fermin. Although this is a very important time of the year for the Spaniards, the tourists mainly go for the fun, drink, and the adrenaline-fuelled Running of the Bulls.

Ernest Hemingway's book "The sun also Rises" is a popular book that centres around Pamplona: Running of the Bulls. 

In the following week, a large amount of wine and champagne will touch the throat of many aficionados. Runners are permitted to run, soberly. 
This cobbled street will be alive 24 hours a day.

NEWS CONCERNING WELFARE OF PARTICIPANTS: 

Monday am:

It is apparent 4 victims have been sent to hospital. One man, aged 52, was gored in the leg whilst the other 3 are receiving medical attention for fractures. 


Tuesday am:

Thankfully no-one was gored this morning. However, a British man has being taken to hospital after he was mown down by fighting bulls. There were also a few individuals treated for minor cuts after falling down.

Wednesday am:

Sadly, two men have been gored in the third day of the Pamplona Bull Run.

Bill Hillmann, a 35 year-old American author from Chicago, and reportedly a good friend of the British Journalist, Alexander Fiske-Harrison, was gored in his right leg by a Victoriano del Rio Fighting Bull and carried away on a stretcher.

Hillmann is a popular Pamplona runner and has written many articles in relation to the festival. His injuries are are said to be serious, but not life threatening.

The other man, a 35 year-old from Valencia, was gored in his chest and was taken to hospital in a semi-conscious state. 

Three further men, all Spanish, were taken to hospital with no serious injuries, after falling in the chaotic stampede through the narrow streets of Pamplona's old town. 

Thursday am:

Two Spaniards, who ran in the 4th Pamplona Bull Run of the week, have being taken to hospital after being gored in their leg. Amongst them were other unlucky revellers who had being tossed in the air, resulting in minor injuries, by a lone bull whom had raced ahead, into a panic-stricken crowd of screaming runners. 

Friday am:

I am happy to report today's Bull Run ended without anyone being gored. Although many could be seen slipping on the wet cobblestone path, including an American and a British runner, who sustained minor injuries. 



UPDATE: TOM HADFIELD, THE BRITISH PARTICIPANT WHO WAS MOWN DOWN IN TUESDAY MORNING'S RUN.


Speaking from his hospital bed, 23 year old Tom Hadfield, told reporters how he feared being left paralysed after he was mown down by fighting bulls, in the second run of the week. 

Tom, who ran in the famous Pamplona Bull Run last year, said:"It was without doubt the best feeling I've ever had in my life." So, on inviting his friends, Tom's intention was to take part in the second Bull Run and then finish the rest of their holiday in Bilbao. A photographer, at the scene, witnessed the moment Tom was trampled on by fighting bulls:

"I think a few of them trampled me. It's a miracle they didn't crush my skull or break my back. Afterwards I got up and carried on running for a bit. Then I started to get dizzy and found somewhere safe to keel over. Next thing I know I'm vomiting blood on the street and there is a big crowd around me. Then I passed out and woke up in the ambulance. Pretty scary. I thought I was paralysed."He said he was likely to be in hospital for the rest of the week before flying home and returning to work.Tom suffered four fractured ribs and a punctured lung after he was mown down a bull during the encierro, made famous by Ernest Hemingway's book "The sun also rises."
"I guess I just thought I was invincible but now I realise I'm not."Since the incident, Tom has become a victim of hate mail. In which he was told: "He deserved to die." In his defence, Tom, admitted he was not aware of the evening bullfight."I swear I didn't even know they killed the bulls afterwards. I am totally against bullfighting and any sort of cruelty to animals. I'm just an adrenaline junkie." Tom is expected to remain in hospital for a few more days.

Saturday am:

In a bid to lessen injuries in the 6th run of the week, council laid down an anti-slip coating on the cobblestones. Due to the amount of rain that has fallen on the narrow streets of Pamplona many people have sustained minor injuries due to slipping. No participant was gored today.

During the run today some of the bulls lost their footing on their journey to the bullring. Footage shows how lucky one man was, when he had his t-shirt ripped off by a horn as one of the bulls lifted itself from a tumble.Weekend runs usually attract the most thrill-seekers, as many finish work Friday evening until their return on Monday morning. 

Sunday am:

In the 7th bull run, the streets of Pamplona were once again filled with thousands of runners. It is safe to say, no-one has being gored. However, four people have sustained; including a woman from Ireland and a Spanish man whom both received care for head trauma and two other runners for rib and abdominal bruising.I am sorry for the late update. I received my own injuries last night, only it was not in Pamplona, but my own bath. I slipped getting out, so I am black and blue from head-to-toe in bruises.On a more serious note:Police are on a man-hunt for the most stupidest, selfish and dangerous participant of Pamplona's Bull Run. A man, who was caught on Spanish Media, is seen slowing down, inches away from a 700kg bull, whilst attempting to take a selfie.Once caught this man faces a fine of three thousand Euro's.Pamplona Festival has being one-hell-of-a-week. Millions of tourists turned up to one of the most famous Spanish annual festival. The cobblestone path has had the adrenaline junkies and 7-900 kg bulls running every morning for the past week. Large quantities of beer has being placed on the lips of those attended. And now, now Pamplona's streets are quiet, with just debris has evidence they ever was a festival. Those who were gored or suffered bruising are on the mend. Thankfully nobody was killed. You bet the timing has already began to count down for 2015.

Have you being to Pamplona during the annual festival?

Have you taken part or want to, in the future?

What is your overall opinion?