The food fight you speak of takes place at the Plaza Del Pueblo in the town of Bunol late August every year. I agree that it is more my speed than the running of the bulls.
Posted on 07/07/2006 7:05:09 AM PDT by TrebleRebel
American paralyzed at Pamplona bull festival 1 hour, 4 minutes ago
MADRID (Reuters) - A New York man was paralyzed below the waist while dodging young bulls with other revelers in the bullring at Spain's San Fermin Festival in Pamplona on Friday, festival organizers said.
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The 31-year-old, named by hospital authorities as Ray Ducharn, was undergoing surgery after being taken to intensive care after he was hurt while trying to escape when the animals were released in Pamplona's bullring following the famous running of the bulls through the town's streets.
It was unclear exactly how Ducharn was injured but he did not appear to have been gored, organizers said.
The famous running of the bulls into the bullring and the release of young bulls and cows into ring where they charge people are separate events.
Another six people were injured dodging six half-ton bulls from the Marques de Domecq ranch, including another New Yorker, a Briton and a New Zealander who was gored in the thigh on the first day of the week-long San Fermin festival.
While the festival made famous internationally by Ernest Hemingway's novel "The Sun Also Rises" has ancient roots, many of the runners are now foreign tourists and the danger is increased by a tradition of drinking all night before the run.
A total of 15 people have been killed during the festival since 1924. The bulls are dispatched by matadors in the afternoons following the runs.
Wonder which one this poor guy was in? I also wonder which one that racist Spike Lee was in for whatever commercial he made (I think).
As we say in Texas, "You mess with the bull, and you'll get the horns."
Why does a kid from New York go all the way to Spain to do that. He could have just as much fun going to the closest interstate and try dodging cars all day.
It's terrible that a 31 year old guy will be paralyzed for the rest of his life but geez...what an idiot.
The rest of his life? I doubt it.
Once everyone is inside the gates are closed and everyone is inside the ring with the rampaging bulls. There is no way to escape.
At least during the street run, there are places for human runners to get into alcoves or be pulled up by citizens of Pamplona.
Yes, my son ran with the bulls when he was stationed in europe during four years of service under X42.
No, we didn't know he was going with some army buddies to run with the bulls. Found out after he was safely back on his base in Germany.
I wonder if the "Thinning Of The Herd" analogy would work here?
I know he's not dead, but he may still qualify for a Darwin Award.....
Rare is the article like this that doesn't include such a line...
I know a guy who did this a couple of years ago and knowing him in other contexts I can safely say he has at least half a screw loose. When he was there the big celebrity there to run with the bulls was Dennis Rodman. 'Nuff said.
I would much rather take part in whatever harvest festival that is in Spain where those present pelt themselves with tomatoes. It sounds like a lot more fun than running from something weighing 700 poounds with sharp horns.
Or as the late (?) great (and unfortunately liberal) Tom Lehrer said in a song about bull fighting
"There is surely nothing more beautiful in this world.... then the sight of a lone man......... facing single-handedly......half a ton of angry...........pot roast".
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The food fight you speak of takes place at the Plaza Del Pueblo in the town of Bunol late August every year. I agree that it is more my speed than the running of the bulls.
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One could train by running with sheep, perhaps.
He's paying big time for doing something really, really stupid. He has my sympathy. I hope that he recovers.
But this guy was 31. Too old. You get no air when trying to jump at 31.
31 is around the age when you should start calling the younger guys running with the bulls idiots.
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