Runner is gored by a bull during the annual festival in Pamplona

Four runners were gored during the race, including two Americans and two Spaniards, and a further five Spaniards were taken to hospital to be treated for more minor injuries.

Three of the gorings were relatively minor, but one runner was rushed to the Central Hospital of Navarra for surgery.

The Red Cross working in the northern Spanish city said that a total of nine ambulances were needed at the race, the mid-point of the nine-day festival.

Saturday is one of the most popular days of the festival, and most of the injured runners said that they fell because of the large numbers of people.

Of the two Americans, a 34-year-old from Philadelphia was gored behind the knee, while a 20-year-old suffered a less severe goring to his leg.

The two gored Spaniards both also suffered leg injuries.

Five Spaniards were also taken to hospital to be treated for sprains, bruises and a broken collar bone.

Manuel Knecht, from the Basque town of Irun, suffered a dislocated elbow during the race.

The 30-year-old told local media, on his release from hospital: ‘I have suffered the consequences of running on a Saturday.

‘I have always lived for the bull run, I have it in my blood and I have a lot of respect for the festival.’

He added that without a doubt he will be running again next year.

Further excitement was added to the run when one of the six bulls decided to return to the corral rather than run the race, for the first time since the 19th century.

(dailymail.co.uk)