Runner crushed by giant ball that replaced bulls at Spanish festival
A SPANISH village that replaced Pamplona-style bull running with a crueltyfree alternative using gigantic plastic balls is considering forcing participants to wear helmets after a man suffered a severe head injury.
The 29-year-old remains in hospital in Madrid after being airlifted out of the mountain village of Mataelpino, where he was crushed against a metal barrier during Sunday’s ball running.
A year ago a man was left in a coma and another suffered three broken ribs after they were hit by the 550lb resin ball, which can reach speeds of up to 20mph as it careers down the steep streets of the village.
“We have talked to some brands to try to get sponsorship for the use of helmets,” Javier de los Nietos, the mayor of Mataelpino, told El Mundo. “We haven’t done it earlier because we didn’t want people to be overconfident and think that nothing will happen if the ball hits them,” he added.
Participants are given safety instructions, and warned against taking a direct hit. “If there is no escape, it’s better to lie down and let the ball run over you,” the runners are told.
Witnesses said the injured man “froze” as the ball approached him at the end of the route, crushing him against a safety barrier.
“People who are used to bulls know that they can’t just stand still in front of them because they could be gored. But with the ball some people think that nothing will happen to them, but this is not the case. If they get a direct hit, it can be serious,” Mr de los Nietos said, adding that another option being considered was to pad the barriers, erected to keep the ball rolling along the route.
Mataelpino changed bulls for white balls on its 550-yard run eight years ago after locals had a brain-storming session in the village bar.
“Between jokes and bottles of beer, someone said why not roll a stone down the mountain like in Indiana Jones,” said José Luis Russel.
This year 1,000 people took part in the Boloencierro (ball running) and dozens of children participated in a separate event using smaller balls.
“We were expecting more people this year because of last year’s incidents. People love the thrill,” said Carlos Hernández of the Boloencierro Association.
‘With the ball some people think nothing will happen to them. But if they get a direct hit it can be serious’