Man crushed in Spanish village's animal-free running-of-the-balls festival

The running-of-the-balls in Mataelpino. Photo / Twitter

A Spanish village that replaced Pamplona-style bull running with a cruelty-free alternative using gigantic plastic balls is considering forcing participants to wear helmets after a man suffered a severe head injury.

The 29-year-old remains in hospital in Madrid after being airlifted out of the mountain village of Mataelpino, where he was crushed against a metal barrier during yesterday's ball running.

A year ago a man was left in a coma and another suffered three broken ribs after they were hit by the 250kg resin ball.

It can reach speeds of up to 32km/h as it careers down the steep streets of the village.

"We have talked to some brands to try to get sponsorship for the use of helmets," Javier de los Nietos, the Mayor of Mataelpino, told El Mundo.

"We haven't done it earlier because we didn't want people to be overconfident and think that nothing will happen if the balls hits them," he added.

Participants are given safety instructions, and warned against taking a direct hit.

"If there is no escape, it's better to lie down and let the ball run over you," the runners are told.

Witnesses said the injured man "froze" as the ball approached him at the end of the route, crushing him against a safety barrier.

"People who are used to bulls know that they can't just stand still in front of them because they could be gored," de los Nietos said.

A Spanish man has been seriously injured by a 250-kilo Styrofoam ball at the Mataelpino "ball run" fiestas https://t.co/3jrqfBveox

— El País English Edition (@elpaisinenglish) August 27, 2018

"But with the ball some people think that nothing will happen to them, but this is not the case. If they get a direct hit, it can be serious."

He added that another option being considered was to pad the barriers, erected to keep the ball rolling along the route.

Mataelpino changed bulls for white balls on its 550m run eight years ago after locals had a brain-storming session in the village bar.

"Between jokes and bottles of beer, someone said why not roll a stone down the mountain like in Indiana Jones," said José Luis Russel.

This year 1000 people took part in the Boloencierro (ball running) and dozens of children participated in a separate event using smaller balls.

"We were expecting more people this year because of last year's incidents. People love the thrill," said Carlos Hernández of the Boloencierro Association.

#Mataelpino se plantea obligar a usar el casco en los 'boloencierros'
📹 https://t.co/mI08SoyZ5w
👉 #TN1 https://t.co/LcalQCRTVv pic.twitter.com/cflclZGhX8

— Telenoticias Telemadrid (@InformativosTM) August 27, 2018