Shocking moment elderly driver takes his car hurtling down Rome's iconic Spanish Steps – before saying ‘I got mixed up'

Scottish Sun

6 hours ago

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THIS is the bizarre moment a driver takes his car for a spin down the staircase of an iconic landmark in Rome - before claiming he "got mixed up".
The 80-year-old man is under police investigation after he drove his Mercedes A-class down the historic Spanish Steps in Italy's capital at 4am in the morning on Tuesday.
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An elderly driver went down a set of historic steps in Rome
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Firefighters stepped in to remove the car
Credit: AP
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The man told police he 'got mixed up' while 'on the way to work'
Credit: Polizia Roma Capitale
During questioning, he told police: "I am sorry. I have made a mistake."
The elderly man added that he had got mixed up with his directions on the way to work.
In the gob-smacking footage, the driver is seen cruising along the road in his silver car in the dead of night.
But things take a turn for the worse when the vehicle approaches the monument and then goes down the famed staircase.
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Bumping along, it slowly descends down a few flights of stairs before making a pit stop in a flat area.
Police are then seen approaching the car, seemingly alarmed at the driver's unusual behaviour.
He was reportedly in a state of confusion when they approached his car.
Local cops said: 'He was uninjured and seemed clear-headed and tested negative for alcohol, but it is strange he claimed he was heading to work at that time of day."
They added: "After conducting all necessary checks, the driver was reported to the judicial authorities."
Shocking video also showed the car being hauled off the staircase with a crane.
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Firefighters stepped in to help the operation and pull the stuck vehicle out of the stairs.
The site was cordoned off and a probe was launched to investigate the man for damaging a national monument.
He driver also tested negative for alcohol and drugs following the peculiar ordeal.
And thankfully, no damage to the steps was recorded.
Destroying or causing significant damage to a landmark such as the Spanish Steps is punishable by up to one year in prison and a hefty fine of over €2,000 (£1,700).
The 18th-century landmark, built in 1726 and offering stunning views across the city, links the Trinità dei Monti church above with the buzzing Piazza di Spagna below.
It is named after the nearby Spanish embassy to the Vatican.
Usually packed with holidaymakers, the staircase was luckily empty at the time of the bizarre accident.
The iconic monument is 95ft long and nearly 300 years old.