A 47-year-old American tourist suffered a horrific injury at the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, after impaling himself on a metal fence, reportedly while trying to take a selfie or get a better view of the iconic monument. The man, who lives in Taiwan, was left dangling helplessly for more than 20 minutes before rescuers could help him.
What Happened at the Colosseum?
According to Il Messaggero, an Italian newspaper, the incident occurred on Friday around 5 p.m. at Piazza del Colosseo. The man had climbed a metal railing that lines the arches of the Colosseum, possibly to take a selfie or enjoy a higher view. But he slipped and fell, landing with force onto the fence and piercing his spine.
Shocked tourists nearby quickly called emergency services. The injured man was screaming in pain before losing consciousness. He hung motionless on the fence, creating a terrifying scene that was witnessed by many visitors.
Paramedics Take Over 20 Minutes to Free Him
It reportedly took paramedics more than 20 minutes to carefully remove the man from the fence without causing further damage. Once rescued, he was rushed to San Giovanni hospital in “code red” condition, a medical term used in Italy for life-threatening emergencies.
Doctors gave him oxygen, performed emergency treatment, and stitched up the wound, which required 80 stitches. He is now in serious but stable condition.
Tourist May Face Legal Trouble
Italian police, known as the Carabinieri, began investigating the incident. The tourist, who had been in Rome with family and friends, was questioned on Sunday. His companions had already spoken to the authorities but reportedly did not explain why he tried to climb the fence, which is off-limits to visitors.
Not the First Tourist Incident at the Colosseum
This is not the first time American visitors have caused trouble at the famous Roman site. In 2021, two U.S. tourists were fined €900 (approx. $900) for illegally entering the Colosseum at night to drink beer inside the ancient structure.