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PHOTOS: Why a bull chasing you is not really fun

Last updated on: July 15, 2014 13:06 IST

The historic San Fermin festival in Spain concluded on Monday with a hair-raising final running of the bulls.

Hundreds of people dashed alongside the six half-ton beasts and their accompanying steer through the cobblestone streets of Pamplona in the eighth run.

There were spine-chilling moments when one bull separated from the pack and charged three runners, pinning them against walls and barriers while trying to gore them.

Reuters photographer Vincent West captured one such moment in a set of frames.

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PHOTOS: Why a bull chasing you is not really fun

Last updated on: July 15, 2014 13:06 IST

The 595-kg bull separated from the herd and set his sights on one young runner, repeatedly butting him and pinning him against a wall.

As the man lifted his legs in a bid to protect himself from the onslaught, the bull thrust one of its horns through his left thigh, tearing off a large chunk of flesh.

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PHOTOS: Why a bull chasing you is not really fun

Last updated on: July 15, 2014 13:06 IST

The man somehow escaped the bull and began running with his thigh completely gored.

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PHOTOS: Why a bull chasing you is not really fun

Last updated on: July 15, 2014 13:06 IST

Other participants tried to distract the bull but to no avail and the man continued to run away from the bull that had ripped a chunk of flesh off the man.

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PHOTOS: Why a bull chasing you is not really fun

Last updated on: July 15, 2014 13:06 IST

He managed to escape to safety behind a wooden barrier but not before the furious bull gored him again as he clambered over the fence at which point he was taken to hospital for surgery.

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PHOTOS: Why a bull chasing you is not really fun

Last updated on: July 15, 2014 13:06 IST

Festival spokeswoman Lucinda Poole described his condition as ‘grave’ having suffered injuries to his chest, abdomen and his left thigh. Four other people, including one woman, were taken to hospital on Monday with injuries, medical authorities said.