(Video APTN)

A bull leapt out of a bullfighting arena in Spain and rampaged through the crowd, injuring at least 30 people, Aug. 18, 2010. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening in the bullring in the town of Tafalla, in the Navarra region. [Photo: Xinhua/AFP]

Regional officials say 40 people were injured in northern Spain on Wednesday when a bull leapt into the packed grandstands of a bullring and ran amok.

The terrifying incident happened in Tafalla, in the northern region of Navarra, and occurred when the animal leapt over the fence and climbed up the stairs of the stands knocking over people, including young children.

A local government statement said a 10-year-old boy was in intensive care at a hospital in the regional capital of Pamplona after the bull reportedly fell on him.

Another man was gored in the back and 38 others suffered minor injuries.

Most of the injuries were minor and were treated by medical staff on site but five were transported to hospital for further attention.

The incident occurred during a contest of "recortadores" when brave participants attempt to dodge the bull as it runs frantically around the arena.

Spectators and officials later tied a rope around the bull to get it under control.

Spanish media reported that the animal was removed from the arena by a crane and later killed.

It is extremely rare for a bull to jump over a security barrier and into the crowd.

The incident comes at a time when the country is split over whether bullfighting should be completely outlawed.

Last month Catalonia became the first major Spanish region to ban the deadly sport after heated debate that pitted animal rights against a pillar of traditional culture.

The ban will take effect from 2010 in the northeastern coastal region whose capital is Barcelona.