A 47-year-old American tourist, who is also a resident of Taiwan, was seriously injured on Friday after climbing a spiked metal fence in front of the Colosseum in Rome and becoming impaled. The man was left hanging from the fence for over 20 minutes before emergency responders were able to free him.
The incident occurred around 5:00 p.m. local time, when the tourist reportedly attempted to scale the fence bordering the Colosseum’s archaeological area. According to Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, the man became “skewered” on the pointed iron bars, sustaining a severe injury to the base of his spine. Witnesses at the scene described hearing the man scream in pain before eventually losing consciousness while still hanging from the railing.
Bystanders immediately alerted authorities. Emergency services, including paramedics, members of the carabinieri (Italian national police), and an ambulance, responded promptly to the location in Piazza del Colosseo. First responders found the man impaled and immobile due to the depth and severity of the wound.
The rescue operation, which took more than 20 minutes, involved sedating the injured man to allow emergency personnel to safely detach him from the fence. Il Messaggero noted that the removal process was complex and required coordinated efforts from medical and police personnel on the scene. Once freed, the man was stabilized with a tight bandage applied to the wound to prevent further blood loss, placed on a stretcher, and transported with lights and sirens to San Giovanni Addolorata Hospital.
At the hospital, doctors classified the situation as a “red code” emergency, indicating a critical condition. The tourist was administered oxygen and underwent immediate surgical intervention. Medical staff reportedly closed the wound with more than 80 stitches. Although the injuries were serious, hospital officials later confirmed that the patient was “out of danger” and in stable condition. He remains hospitalized for observation.
Screaming US tourist 47, impaled on Rome’s Colosseum fence possibly seeking selfie was dangling from the fence and screaming until unconscious. Brought to emergency drs performed surgery. Lower back wound closed with more than 80 stitches, hospitalized in serious condition.😱 pic.twitter.com/EjiXMpXlsI
— Sumner (@renmusb1) May 5, 2025
Authorities have not released the man’s name, and the specific reason for his attempt to climb the fence remains unconfirmed. Italian news outlets have speculated that he may have been trying to capture a photograph or gain a better view of the historic monument. Law enforcement officers interviewed the injured tourist on Sunday, after he had regained the ability to speak. His friends were also questioned by the carabinieri, but they were unable to offer a clear explanation for the incident.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as distressing. “It was terrible,” one individual told Il Messaggero. “I saw that man was impaled on a fence, and he could not free himself.”
While the tourist has not been formally charged, he could potentially face legal consequences. Italian law prohibits tampering with or damaging cultural heritage sites. Authorities in Rome have previously taken a strict stance on the preservation of historic landmarks, particularly the Colosseum.
In 2023, Italy’s culture and tourism ministers publicly vowed to pursue charges against individuals who deface monuments. That year, a tourist was caught engraving names into the Colosseum’s wall, a crime that has historically resulted in significant fines. A similar case in 2014 involved a Russian tourist who was fined €20,000 after being found guilty of damaging ancient brickwork on the site.
Local officials have not yet indicated whether penalties will be pursued in this case. The investigation remains ongoing.
