Terrifying moment bull leaps into the crowd at Colombian festival injuring four as spectators run for their lives

A raging bull has seriously injured four spectators after it leapt into a crowd during a bullfight at a Colombian festival on Monday.

Crowds of people ran for their lives in the Castilla district of Coyaima, when the bull launched itself up into the stands and charged at festivalgoers.

The rampage took place at a ‘Corraleja’ event, a traditional bull festival where the animal is released into the ring and members of the public can dangerously tease it.

Video footage showed the bull seconds after it was released chasing people in the ring before it jumped over a tall red fence and into a large crowd.

Cheers of excitement quickly turned into screams of panic as people fled the stands, with some even jumping into the ring to escape.

One woman was hit and trampled by the bull as she tried to run away around the stand.

A fearless man then grabbed the bull by the tail, allowing others to quickly escape.

Bizarrely, as the carnage unfolds, a matador calmly walks across the bullring brandishing his red cape in an apparent attempt to get the bull’s attention.

Four people were seriously injured and have since been treated by emergency responders and taken to hospital.

An investigation is still ongoing into the incident to confirm the severity of their injuries and the exact number of people hurt by the bull. 

Ricardo Suárez, Tolima’s Secretary of the Interior, told local media: ‘The bull jumped towards the barrier where spectators were standing and attacked some of them.

‘This is the consequence of the violence that we humans continue to promote.

‘We must move towards new forms of entertainment and new spectacles that genuinely enrich Tolima’s culture.

‘This proves that such barbarity is neither culture nor bravery. Bullfighting must end in Tolima. It is a grotesque practice that contributes absolutely nothing to society.

‘We cannot seek enjoyment at the expense of the suffering of sentient beings – animals, and bulls that do not understand what is happening to them.’

This is not the first incident where a bull has gored festivalgoers this summer.

Just one week earlier than the Colombian bull rampage, a British pensioner became the oldest participant injured at this year’s San Fermin festival.

The 86-year-old tourist, from Halesowen in the West Midlands, was one of ten people injured during the final day of the festival on July 14.

The holidaymaker suffered multiple injuries, including a goring to his left elbow and wounds to his eyebrow and right hand. 

He was then rushed to hospital and treated for his injuries. 

William Mitchinson, 24, was the second Brit to be hospitalised after being knocked to the ground while trying to outrun the six bulls and accompanying steers.

He spoke outside Navarra University Hospital after leaving with his ankle in a brace.

‘I ran until the bull trampled me,’ he said. ‘I’d seen the festival on social media, and it looked like good fun.

‘It’s my first visit to Pamplona. I might come back another year – but only for the party.’

Officials confirmed two other runners had suffered goring wounds during the run, which lasted two minutes and 25 seconds.