On the final day of Navalcarnero’s festival, a 58-year-old man was left in critical condition after being gored during the last encierro. Medical teams performed emergency surgery in the bullring. The operation put the risks of these long-standing traditions in stark view.
The man had climbed onto the talanquera, leaning into the bull-run route, but slipped as a bull charged past. The animal struck him in the left side of his chest and left a deep open wound. Telemadrid aired footage of the moment. It showed him collapsing as people rushed to help. The incident occurred on September 13 at approximately 13:48, a time reported by multiple Spanish news outlets and Madrid emergency services.
By the time paramedics arrived, doctors were already operating in a makeshift area inside the arena. Madrid emergency services said the alert came in at 13:48. Once stabilized and intubated, the man was flown by Summa 112 helicopter to Hospital de La Paz in Madrid, where he remains hospitalized. Telemadrid and El Mundo also reported that the emergency operation began before the evacuation helicopter arrived.
This year, Navalcarnero’s fiestas received official recognition as a Fiesta de Interés Turístico Regional from the Comunidad de Madrid. The designation reflects more than four centuries of bull-running tradition. The encierros, part of the Fiestas Patronales for Nuestra Señora la Virgen de la Concepción, are known for their late-night starts: most begin at 1:00 a.m. The final run, but, took place at 12:30 p.m. in daylight. Organizers used bulls from the recortes competition.
Despite the festival’s history and new official status, the incident highlights the dangers of these events. Emergency teams acted quickly, and their intervention likely prevented the man’s death. His condition remains extremely serious. The episode has renewed debate about balancing tradition and public safety at Spain’s regional festivals.
Navalcarnero’s encierros are among the oldest in the Madrid region and draw crowds every September. Most runs end without a major incident, but unpredictable animals and packed crowds mean serious injuries remain a risk. As the town looks back on this year’s fiestas, questions about acceptable risk in the name of tradition persist. The new recognition from the Comunidad de Madrid raises the festival’s profile and brings greater responsibility to keep people safe.
