Karthi (22), a spectator from Mathurapatti village near Kodumabalur in the district, was killed and 89 others injured at a jallikattu at Tirunallur near Viralimalai on Saturday. Karthik was declared brought dead at the District Headquarters Hospital.

Hospital sources said that the victim, a farmer, died of severe internal bleeding. The event was organised on a five-acre dry bed of a tank near Sri Mariamman temple in the village.

Though nearly 1,000 bulls were registered, only about 600 were released till 3 p.m. when Officials brought the event to an end as the crowd of spectators kept swelling. and it threatened to go out of control. Among the injured, 25 were admitted to hospitals in Pudukottai, Manapparai and the K.A.P. Viswanatham Government Medical College Hospital in Tiruchi. The others were treated for minor injuries.

At least 25 spectators suffered rib fractures and scalp injuries, said V.C. Subash Gandhi, a Surveillance Medical Officer.

A large number of spectators from several neighbouring villages witnessed the event, one of the biggest in the region.

An appeal by police personnel and organisers over public address system to spectators not to assemble on the pathway of the bulls, fell on deaf ears. Police had to use mild force at times to keep the unruly spectators away.