AMERICAN IMPALED at Colosseum – Selfie Goes Wrong!

Daily Report May 06,2025

A 47-year-old American tourist was impaled on a metal fence at Rome’s Colosseum while allegedly attempting to take a selfie, requiring 80 stitches after a traumatic 20-minute rescue operation.

At a Glance

American tourist, 47, living in Taiwan impaled himself on a Colosseum fence while reportedly attempting to take a selfie
The man screamed in pain until losing consciousness while paramedics spent 20 minutes removing him from the railing
He was rushed to San Giovanni hospital in serious condition where he required 80 stitches to treat a spine wound
The incident adds to a history of tourist misconduct at the ancient Roman landmark

Traumatic Scene Unfolds at Historic Monument

A sightseeing trip turned into a nightmare for an American tourist who suffered severe injuries after becoming impaled on a metal fence at Rome’s iconic Colosseum. The 47-year-old man, who resides in Taiwan, was visiting the historic site with family and friends when the accident occurred around 5 p.m. Witnesses reported the man was attempting to climb over a railing, possibly to capture a better photo or selfie, when he slipped and became impaled on the fence below.

“An American tourist in Rome impaled himself on a metal fence at the Colosseum while possibly trying to take a selfie — screaming in pain as he was left helplessly dangling for more than 20 minutes.” – Il Messaggero.

Dozens of horrified onlookers watched as the tourist screamed in agony before eventually losing consciousness. First responders arrived quickly but faced significant challenges removing the victim from the metal railing. The delicate extraction process took more than 20 minutes, during which time the man remained suspended on the fence with a serious wound to his spine. Following his rescue, emergency personnel rushed him to nearby San Giovanni hospital in “code red” condition.

Serious Injuries and Investigation

Medical reports indicate the American tourist required 80 stitches to close the wound in his spine. Hospital staff classified his condition as serious but stable upon arrival. The victim was unable to speak for several hours following the incident, complicating initial investigative efforts. Police questioned his companions who were present during the accident, but they reportedly did not provide clear explanations for why he attempted to climb the railing.

/div>

“The man — a 47-year-old American citizen living in Taiwan — was stabbed in the spine while attempting to climb over the historic monument’s fence. He was possibly attempting to get a better view, according to Italian newspaper Il Messaggero.” – Il Messaggero.

The incident occurred during a particularly busy period in Rome, shortly after Pope Francis’s funeral which had drawn more than 250,000 mourners to the city. Both Italy’s Civil Protection Department and the Polizia di Stato declined to comment when contacted by Fox News Digital regarding the accident. The investigation into the exact circumstances of the incident remains ongoing as authorities work to determine whether additional safety measures might be necessary.

Pattern of Tourist Misconduct at Roman Landmarks

This incident is not the first case of tourists behaving inappropriately at the Colosseum. In 2021, two American tourists, aged 24 and 25, were each fined €800 (approximately $670) after breaking into the ancient amphitheater during early morning hours to drink beer. A passerby spotted the pair at 5:30 a.m. and alerted police, who discovered the tourists had somehow gained entry to the second tier of the monument despite it being closed to the public since 4:30 p.m. the previous day.

Before the pandemic reduced tourism numbers, the Colosseum typically welcomed approximately 6 million visitors annually. During that period, authorities regularly confronted cases of vandalism and inappropriate behavior. Previous incidents included tourists carving their initials into the ancient structure’s walls, an offense that can result in substantial fines and even jail time. Similar issues plague other Italian tourist destinations, with Venice authorities frequently issuing fines for inappropriate activities like swimming in canals or wearing swimwear near religious sites.