This is the dramatic moment staff tried to catch a raging bull after it severely gored a man during a traditional bullfighting festival.

Shocking footage from Guiding County in the Qiannan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in Guizhou, China, shows festival staff members struggling to calm down the animal on February 17.

Several ambulances and police cars were parked on the side of the road.

Officials said the individual was severely pierced in the stomach by the angry animal. He was immediately rushed to a local hospital with an open wound, according to reports.

A Changming Town Central Health Centre said: 'The person has been sent to Guiding County People's Hospital.'

A festival visitor identified only as Mr Zhang said that he visited the traditional event along with his family but it was cancelled after the incident.

Bullfighting in China is similar to Spanish bullfighting in that it involves matadors and bulls. However, those involved typically avoid killing the bulls.