Wrong turn sends driver down Spanish Steps, car lifted by crane, video shows
An elderly man's wrong turn down a famous Italian landmark led to his vehicle being craned away.
An 80-year-old man on his way to work mistakenly drove his Mercedes-Benz sedan down Rome's famous Spanish Steps in the early morning June 17, Italian media reports show.
Video captured the driver slowly navigating down the historic stairs before getting stuck as well as the audio reaction of bystanders in disbelief.
Police said the man exited the vehicle uninjured and firefighters used a crane to remove the vehicle from the steps, Italian outlet Il Corriere della Sera reported.
Public access to the Spanish Steps was temporarily restricted while experts with the Ministry of Culture examined the extent of damage caused by the driver, according to CBS News.
Was the driver under the influence?
Upon being taken to a local hospital, the man tested negative for both alcohol and drug consumption, CNN reported citing city police.
However officers said the driver appeared to be in a state of confusion, according to Il Corriere della Sera. He reportedly had a valid driver's license.
The peculiar moment wasn't the first time a vehicle drove through the historic landmark. In 2022, a Saudi man was charged with aggravated damage to cultural heritage after footage captured a Maserati driving down the same steps.
What are the Spanish Steps?
Build between 1723 and 1726, the Spanish Steps lead from the iconic Piazza di Spagna square to the French monastery church Trinita dei Monti, according to Rome's tourist site.
The landmark features 135 total steps as well as three different terraces that reference the Holy Trinity or the Trinità. Tourists often visit the top of the stairs for a scenic view of Rome.
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