HISTORIC PAIN

U.S. Tourist Impales Himself on Fence at Rome’s Colosseum

The man hung on the railing lining the Colosseum for 20 minutes before paramedics were able to extract him.

An American tourist impaled himself on a metal fence at the iconic Roman Colosseum on Friday after climbing the railing to snap a selfie or get a better view, the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero reported. The 47-year-old man, a United States citizen living in Taiwan, pierced his spine while scaling the fence that lines the lower arches of Rome’s ancient amphitheater. He hung there for 20 minutes before paramedics were able to extract him, with crowds of tourists witnessing the gruesome scene. “It was terrible,” an eyewitness told Il Messaggero, “He couldn’t free himself.” The man reportedly screamed in pain until he lost consciousness. After paramedics heaved him away from the fence, he was taken to a nearby hospital, where he received 80 stitches and oxygen. He was reported to be in stable condition by that night. The tourist, who was visiting Rome with family and friends, was questioned by police on Sunday. In 2021, two American tourists were caught breaking into the Colosseum at night, reportedly to have a beer. They were fined the equivalent of $900.