Horrifying moment a bull drowns after falling into water during bull-run at Spanish town

This is the horrifying moment a tormented bull drowned after falling into the water during a bull running event on the eastern coast of Spain. 

Distressing footage shows the bull thrashing about in the sea as crew members desperately tried to keep the animal’s head above the water.

But their desperate efforts to rescue the heavy beast, which was seen frantically trying to stay afloat, came to no avail and the animal was seen slowly sinking beneath the water’s surface.

The tormented bull had fallen into the water at the traditional Bous a la Mar celebrations in the coastal city of Denia on Monday afternoon after it chased bull runners around a square that is open to the sea.

The swimmers had jumped into the water to flee an impending strike but as soon as the beast fell into the sea behind them, the creature began thrashing about in the water, desperately trying to stay above the water’s surface.

The swimmers had jumped into the water to flee an impending strike but as soon as the beast fell into sea behind them, the creature began thrashing about in the water, desperately trying to stay above the water’s surface

Harrowing footage shows two of the volunteers desperately trying to hold onto the bull’s horns as they drag it towards their boat. The bull, unable to swim, desperately tries to grapple for air and is seen thrashing about in the water

The frantic volunteers turn the doomed beast on its back, its legs sprawled in the air, as they manically try to keep the bull’s mouth and nose above the water

Volunteers on a nearby boat, who are always on hand to assist bulls that fall into the water, jumped into the water and swam towards the ailing beast.

Harrowing footage shows two of the volunteers desperately trying to hold onto the bull’s horns as they drag it towards their boat. The bull, unable to swim, desperately tries to grapple for air and is seen thrashing about in the water. 

Another crew member on the boat is seen reaching out to hold the bull and appears to be trying to wrap a rope underneath the bull – but to no avail.

The frantic volunteers turn the doomed beast on its back, its legs sprawled in the air, as they manically try to keep the bull’s mouth and nose above the water.

But the bull – likely weighing over 2,000lbs (1,000kg) – is too heavy for the crew members to keep him upright.

And in a harrowing scene, the bull – no longer having the energy to try to keep its head above water – slowly sinks beneath the surface as the crew members struggle to get it to shore. 

The video cuts out but event organisers later confirmed that the bull – which belonged to the local El Cova ranch, had drowned in the horrific incident following efforts to revive it on the shore.

The incident occurred on the third day of the Bous a lar Mar festivities in Denia, which is set to continue festivities until next Saturday, reports El Pais. 

But the bull – likely weighing over 2,000lbs (1,000kg) – is too heavy for the crew members to keep him upright

And in a harrowing scene, the bull – no longer having the energy to try to keep its head above water – slowly sinks beneath the surface as the crew members struggle to get it to shore

A Bous a la Mar event is different from the usual Spanish festivals where bulls run around in a closed ring or through enclosed streets. It sees bull runners jump into the sea to avoid the bulls – and often, as was the case with Monday’s incident, the animals fall into the water. 

As soon as it emerged that the bull had died on Monday afternoon, the festival was suspended for a few hours before reopening for an evening session. 

A volunteer who has been working at the bullring in Denia for years told Las Provincias that the last death of a bull during their annual festivities happened over 10 years ago in 2011. 

He claimed it is rare for bulls to die, whilst adding: ‘It is something anecdotal.’ 

A series of traditional bull running festivals have been taking place across Spain this month – but it’s often the bull runners who end up being injured during the world-famous events.

Last week, an enraged bull leapt over a barrier and charged towards spectators who had tormented him during an event in Castejon, Spain. 

The bull had stopped in the middle of the Sarasate de Castejón street after baying spectators had begun waving a banging their hands against the barricades in an effort to whip the beast into a frenzy. 

But the crowd got more than they bargained for when one particularly impatient spectator took a long wooden stick and attempted to jab the bull in the face.

With a sudden burst of speed, the enraged bovine leapt over the fence, causing pandemonium and sending the audience scrambling in horror to evade its charge. 

One unlucky local resident, Fernando Miguel, 61, attempted to evade the cow’s wrath by squeezing himself between the barricades.

He managed to avoid being gored by the bull’s horns, but the sheer force of the passing beast caused him to lose his balance, sending him toppling over backwards.

The back of his head hit the road with a sickening crack, knocking him out cold. 

Surrounded on all sides by baying spectators, the bull appeared confused and tormented with onlookers shouting, waving and banging their hands against the barricades in an attempt to whip the bull back into a frenzy

The crowd got more than they bargained for when one particularly impatient spectator took a long wooden stick and attempted to jab the bull in the face

The horrified crowd gasped as Fernando lay motionless on the pavement, before concerned onlookers ran over and swiftly whisked him out of shot.

But Fernando wasn’t the only casualty of the bull’s wrath.

As the beast crashed into the protective barrier, it unleashed an unexpected blow to the gut on 82-year-old Teresa Martínez Pascual, who was also sent crashing to the turf clutching a wounded stomach. 

Although her injuries were described as more serious, she was treated by local medics and successfully transported to a nearby hospital in a stable condition for further care. 

Fernando meanwhile later regained consciousness and despite having suffered a severe cranial contusion escaped serious injury and was discharged from hospital later that night. 

The man who incited the bull’s anger by poking at its face with the stick was unhurt in the incident, his actions having only caused significant injury and pain to his compatriots. 

But this was not the first incident involving bulls from the Arriazu de Ablitas farm – around midday on Saturday 2 July, another man fell victim to the unpredictable nature of the wild cattle, suffering a blow in the bulls’ confinement area. 

Fortunately, his injuries were less severe, and he did not require further medical attention.

The adrenaline-fueled tradition of bull running has been an integral part of Spanish culture for centuries. 

Bulls charge at a runner during the fourth bull run of Sanfermines in Pamplona on 10 July 

Rooted in history and folklore, the exhilarating events draw both locals and tourists who seek a thrilling and unforgettable experience – but in recent years the tradition has been widely condemned for its treatment of the bulls, many of whom sustain significant injuries or are killed.

The origins of bull running can be traced back to ancient times when cattle were herded through the streets to marketplaces. 

Over time, these humble gatherings evolved into larger-scale celebrations, often associated with religious festivals or local patron saints. 

While different regions of Spain have their own variations, the most famous bull running event takes place in Pamplona during the San Fermín festival, which typically runs from July 6-14.

The event attracts thousands of daredevils each year, who sprint alongside the majestic animals and race through narrow, cobbled streets to avoid their horns.