Video: Running of the Bulls Death in Pamplona, Spain (July 2009)

Caution: The video contains graphic images.

Daniel Jimeno Romero, 27, of Alcala de Henares (near Madrid) was gored in today’s Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain. According to eye-witness accounts, Mr. Jimeno Romero was moving backwards, facing an oncoming bull named Cappuccino. This rogue bull had been separated from the herd. Daniel Jimeno Romero then tripped over some other runners, and he falls to the ground. While trying to retreat feet-first under the wooden fence, the bull gored him in the neck. The puncture extended to his lung, and the bleeding was immediately profuse.

It’s the first death at the event since 1995, when 22-year-old American Matthew Tassio was gored to death during the running of the bulls. Also, in 2003 Fermin Etxeberri, a 63-year-old Spaniard, was trampled by a bull during the running of the bulls. He was actually trampled in the head, and then he died later that year after spending months in a coma.

Since they began keeping records in 1924, there have been 15 deaths at the Running of the Bulls during the san Fermin Festival in Pamplona, Spain.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Daniel Jimeno Romero, his friends and family.

Update:

  • Picture of paramedics working on Daniel Jimeno Romero at LA Times (link)
  • July 12, 2009: Ten more hurt in Pamplona bull run (link)
Runner Survives Being Gored by Bull in Pamplona's Running of the Bulls 2009
Runner Survives Being Gored by Bull in Pamplona's Running of the Bulls 2009
  • Holy Shit! This guy was gored in the chest – and he survived! (link)

Michael Jackson is Dead Video by Jon Lajoie

Jon Lajoie is awesome. I enjoy his work. The day after Michael Jackson died, Jon released the video for his song Michael Jackson is Dead on YouTube. With this video, I think he makes a great point about the media’s relationship to Michael Jackson. They made cash money by labeling him a freak on the cover of every major magazine at some point over the past 30 years. Anyways,  I’ll let the video speak for itself. The most poignant lyrics are just before the last verse:

oh it’s so sad that michael passed away
we loved him so much
oh really, really, did you love him
cuz from where i’m standing it kinda looked
like you hated him
and that you called him freak
and that you wanted him to die
but now that he’s dead
you love him and he’s a legend
and he’s so amazing
and we love michael jackson
how about you go fuck yourself
you big bunch of fucking hypocrits

The media is nothing if they are not hypocritical, but I will accept the argument that they are often nicer to people when it involves death. However, it is a flimsy argument, so all you media defenders should try to avoid using it.

This song was written (and the video was posted) less than 48 hours after Michael’s death was announced. Jon Lajoie’s got some skills. Well done, Jon. Well done indeed.