8 Oct 2011

Renowned matador gored by bull

4:24 pm on 8 October 2011

One of Spain's most popular matadors has been was gored through the head during a bullfight.

Juan Jose Padilla slipped and fell in the sand after placing banderillas, or barbed sticks, in the bull and one of the the animal's horns pierced him through the jaw.

The condition of the 38-year -old is serious.

The goring in Zaragoza occurred at one of the final bull festivals of a season that saw the spectacle come under increasing pressure from anti-bullfight activists as well as financial difficulties brought on by dwindling public interest.