The widow of a top matador fatally gored by a bull on live television has said her "life has gone" and she has "no strength".

Victor Barrio, 29, was the first professional bullfighter to be killed in the ring in Spain since 1985.

He was first gored in the thigh by the half-ton animal's left horn and his body was flipped over.

Mr Barrio was attacked a second time in the chest and the blow penetrated a lung and his aorta as the matador was on the ground.

The Spanish bullfighter was rushed to hospital but doctors were unable to save his life.


Gracias a todos. No puedo contestaros, no tengo palabras. Se ha ido mi vida, no tengo fuerzas, pero sí mucho agradecimiento #SoyBarriera — Raquel Sanz (@raquelsepul) July 10, 2016

Reacting to his death, Mr Barrio's widow Raquel Sanz expressed her gratitude for people's support.

She tweeted: "Thanks to everyone. I cannot reply to you, I have no words. My life has gone, I have no strength, although I have a lot of thanks."

Hundreds of people had been watching her husband perform at a tournament in the town of Teruel in Aragon when the bull, named Lorenzo and weighing 1,166lb (530kg), attacked.

In a final tweet five days ago Mr Barrio posted a picture of himself training, writing: "With the mind set on Teruel".

According to El Pais, Mr Barrio decided on a career in bullfighting at the age of 20, having previously combined his studies with working on a golf course.

He reportedly said: "I had always felt a great admiration for bullfighters and the party but I was ashamed to say I wanted to be a bullfighter and a hero, as I saw them."

Brit Bullfighter: Simulate The Kill

Tributes were paid to Mr Barrio by many, including Spain's acting prime minister Mariano Rajoy, who sent his condolences to the bullfighter's family and friends, adding: "rest in peace".

The festival was suspended following Mr Barrio's death.

While deaths are not uncommon at Spain's famous bull runs, the last matador death in the country was in 1985 when Frenchman Jose Cubero Yiyo was gored in Madrid.