In this May 16, 2011 photo, Spanish bullfighter Victor Barrio performs during a bullfight of the San Isidros fair at the Las Ventas Bullring in Madrid. The 29-year-old matador was fatally gored in Spain during a bullfight on July 9 in the eastern town of Teruel, the first professional bullfighter to be killed in the ring in more than three decades.
A Spanish bullfighter was gored to death in front of horrified spectators at a corrida on Saturday, the first to be killed in the ring in more than three decades.
Victor Barrio, 29, was struck in the chest by the massive bull who tossed him in the air before he fell to the ground, where he lay motionless after the graphic attack that was aired live on television.
Other matadors rushed to the rescue, trying to distract the 500 kilogram (1,100 pound) bull before carrying Barrio from the ring in the eastern town of Teruel.
Barrio, who made his corrida debut in 2008 and toured rings all over the country, was pronounced dead at the scene, Tauroemocion, the organiser of the bullfight, told AFP.
Spanish President Mariano Rajoy Brey sent his sympathies after the death.
“My condolences to the family and colleagues of Victor Barrio, bullfighter who died in Teruel. Rest in peace,” he wrote on Twitter.
The Plaza de Las Ventas bullfighting ring in Madrid also paid tribute to Barrio on Twitter.
“Distressed and affected. Rest in peace, Victor Barrio. All of us send our condolences to his team and to his family and friends,” it posted on its feed along with photos of the slain bullfighter.