Spanish town mourns popular politician gored to death during festival

Published January 02, 2017

CORRECTS THE STAGE OF THE EVENT TO SECOND RUNNING - Revelers run on the Estafeta corner as a fighting bull from Miura ranch go on the way during the second running of the bulls at the San Fermin fiestas, in Pamplona northern Spain, Sunday, July 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) (AP2012)

A Spanish town has declared three days of mourning after one of its councilors was gored to death by a bull while out celebrating the feast day of a neighboring city.

The town council of Traspinedo decreed the honor Sunday in memory of José Alberto Peñas, 34, who was elected in May.

Mayor Jesús Bazán Puertas said villagers had been "hit hard, because he was a very dear person and a very honest lad" who was gored near his femoral artery while celebrating nearby Penafiel's annual feast day.

Peñas was the fourth person gored to death in Spain during this year's August holiday, and the seventh so far this year.

Bull runs are a traditional part of summer festivals across Spain, the most famous being at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona.