A MATADOR has been left seriously injured after being brutally gored by a raging bull who threw him in the air and punctured his thigh.
Raúl Ruiz was caught by the charging beast as it suddenly turned and launched an attack on him – driving its horn 25cm deep into his right leg.
The ferocious bull drove its horn 25cm deep into his right thighCredit: Las Ventas/ Plaza 1
He was hurled onto the sand where he lay injuredCredit: Las Ventas/ Plaza 1
The force of the attack lifted him off his feet before he was hurled onto the sand, where he lay injured as members of the cuadrilla rushed to his aid.
The horror unfolded in Madrid, Spain, during the first novillada of the Feria de la Comunidad de Madrid on Friday, as crowds packed into the capital’s Las Ventas arena.
Ruiz was struck during the banderillas phase – one of the most dangerous moments of the fight – leaving him dangerously exposed at close range.
Medical teams stormed the ring within seconds and transferred him to the on-site infirmary.
Raúl Ruiz was suddenly charged at by the horned beastCredit: Instagram
Doctors confirmed a severe entry and exit wound to the right thighCredit: Instagram
Doctors confirmed a severe entry and exit wound to the right thigh, with significant muscle damage and impact to the femoral artery.
He required urgent treatment following heavy blood loss.
Las Ventas is a vast red-brick arena in Madrid where 23,000 spectators pack in to witness high-stakes bullfighting.
The banderillas stage involves placing barbed sticks into the bull’s shoulders at close quarters, leaving those on foot highly vulnerable to sudden, violent charges.
The same event saw further drama involving young bullfighters.
Álvaro Serrano and Joel Ramírez, both making their debut at the Madrid bullring, were caught while attempting to kill their bulls during the estocada phase.
Both were knocked down or hooked, although no serious injuries were initially reported.
Daniel López also suffered a knock during his own attempt to kill the bull, but escaped without apparent serious injury.
The Madrid incident comes amid a string of recent injuries across Spain’s bullfighting calendar.
At Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza in Seville, two separate serious incidents involving bullfighters have been reported during events linked to the Feria de Abril.
In a separate case, a 33-year-old farmer died after being gored during a bull-related festival in Jaén.
Major bullrings, including Las Ventas, are equipped with permanent medical teams trained to respond to traumatic injuries such as gorings, where blood loss can be rapid and life-threatening.
However, the risks remain ever-present due to the close and unpredictable nature of encounters between bull and bullfighter.
Ruiz remains under medical observation following the attack. Further updates on his condition are expected