Incident at Colosseum Leaves Tourist Severely Injured

An incident at Rome’s Colosseum involving an American tourist led to a serious injury and a tense rescue mission.

Quick Takes

An American tourist in Rome injured himself on a metal fence at the Colosseum, possibly while taking a selfie or trying to get a better view of the scene.
The 47-year-old man suffered severe spinal injuries and required extensive medical attention.
Rescue teams took over 20 minutes to remove him, during which he was in extreme pain.
The incident draws attention to past risky and illegal behaviors at the Colosseum by tourists.

Incident at the Colosseum

On a visit to Rome’s renowned Colosseum, an American tourist experienced a horrific accident. The tourist, a 47-year-old US citizen residing in Taiwan, became seriously injured reportedly trying to climb a metal fence. Reports suggest he may have been attempting to capture a selfie or get a better view, although the motive hasn’t been confirmed. The accident required immediate medical attention and 80 stitches. Paramedics took over 20 minutes to safely remove him from the railing.

The injured man was subsequently taken to San Giovanni hospital in a serious yet stable condition. The unfortunate event came shortly after Pope Francis’s funeral, which had drawn numerous visitors to Rome.

Bystanders who saw the horrific event called for help as the tourist, stuck on the fence, cried out until he lost consciousness. Law enforcement and paramedics quickly arrived at the scene, but it took them more than 20 minutes to remove him from the fence, Il Messaggero reported.

Behavior at Historical Sites

The incident is not the only instance of inappropriate behavior at historical sites such as the Colosseum. In 2021, two US tourists faced fines after illegally entering the site at night. These individuals scaled the second tier of the monument, intending to drink beer. While no injuries or damage were reported in this instance, authorities were notified early by a passerby, which led to the tourists receiving fines and questioning by police.

Other previous incidents include defacement of the ancient structure. In 2020, a man was reportedly caught trying to carve his initials into one of the pillars, while a teen girl was caught doing the same thing that same year.

Tourism Concerns

While there were no injuries reported in the other incidents, the severe injury of the American tourist last week serves as a reminder of the risks associated with ignoring safety measures when exploring such monumental landmarks. By respecting guidelines and practicing caution, tourists can stay safer while respecting the structures they are visiting.