Bull with horns on fire gores man to death after being set alight as part of Spanish festival

The bull ruptured the man's spleen

A man has died after being gored by a bull set alight as part of a traditional bull-running festival in Spain. Horrific footage shows Adrian Martínez Fernández, 24, being buffeted by the half-tonne animal in the town of Vallada in Valencia on Sunday (August 21). The video shows the bull with its horns set alight as part of the barbaric festival. Fernández was taken to hospital after the incident but doctors were unable to save his life. It is understood the man’s spleen was fatally ruptured when the beast crashed into him causing shock to terrified onlookers. The festival, which is in the name of a patron saint, has since been suspended by authorities in the town. There was due to be another event on Monday. The Daily Mail reports that the man had travelled from Almansa to take part in the day’s celebrations. A bull with flaming horns is known as a 'toro embolado' - or 'bull with balls' - and is a common sight at similar events across Spain. [caption id="attachment_355649" align="alignnone" width="1438"] The animal ruptured the man's spleen[/caption]   The pain and heat caused by the flames works the animal into a frenzy, making them even more dangerous. People then try and dodge the bull as it runs around in distress. A minute's silence was held to remember Fernández after the news of his death broke on Sunday night. [caption id="attachment_355650" align="alignnone" width="842"] It is common for one of the animals to have their horns set alight at these festivals[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_355651" align="alignnone" width="844"] The bull then continued off down the street after the attack[/caption] The festivities are part of Vallada's celebrations for its patron saints San Bertomeu, the Santísimo Cristo del Monte Calvario and the Virgen de Gracia. Bullfighting was declared part of Spain's national heritage in 2013 by the country's conservative government. This effectively blocked any attempts to ban the practice. Related links:

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