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The Sun
12 hours ago
- The Sun
Shocking moment elderly driver takes his car hurtling down Rome's iconic Spanish Steps – before saying ‘I got mixed up'
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. 4 4 4 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. 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. Shocking moment two brazen cops are caught romping in field propped against their police car in broad daylight clinch 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. 4
Daily Mail
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Moment pensioner accidentally hit the accelerator rather than brake and ploughed into a bakery causing £10,000 in damage
An elderly man crashed into a bakery store room after mistakenly stepping on the accelerator, destroying £10,000 worth of stock. Nikki Craven, 49, manager and owner at Rise Bakery in Dorset, shockingly revealed that an employee was restocking the shelves only minutes before the 'enormous smash'. The Honda driver - who is thought to be in his 70s or older - was pulling out of the Wash'N'Drive car wash in Bridport when he lost control of his car and pummelled into the alcohol store room of the Rise Market & Bakery. The 'colossal' damage includes the destruction to the building as well as the hundreds of smashed bottles of beer, wine and spirits. It is expected to cost more than £10,000. Mr Craven said: 'I think the gentleman, who was probably in his 70s or his 80s, accidentally left the car in drive and when leaving the car wash he pressed the accelerator rather than the brake and went into the side of the shop at quite a speed. 'Less than half an hour before one of the staff was restocking the room, but we're just glad that no-one was hurt.' He said there was 'smashed glass everywhere' and the store room still smelt like alcohol despite several vigilant deep cleans. The driver was taken to hospital but did not suffer any serious injuries. The three staff members in the shop at the time were also unharmed as well as the few customers inside. Mr Craven said they did not know the man before the 'freak accident' and he had not contacted them since. 'There was nothing suspicious about it and the man was definitely in a state to drive,' he said. Rise Bakery wrote on their Instagram page that they were 'not trying to name, blame or shame the driver in anyway'. 'Accidents happen, a lot of booze has been spilt but luckily everyone is whole,' they added. The bakery hoped to re-open the 'Little Booze Room' in about a month but was waiting on insurers to assess the damage before beginning any renovations. 'We're just very grateful for everyone who helped and especially for Fat Leaf for all their help in sorting things out and for getting the car out.' The bakery explained that since the car was on private property, the firefighters who raced to scene were unable to physically remove the car. Instead they had to rely on a local landscaper to drive the vehicle out of the store room. 'Life's funny, one minute you're getting your car washed in the Esso, and the next minute you're in the little booze room in Rise market and bakery!' Rise Bakery wrote on their Instagram. A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: 'We received a report that a vehicle had collided with the Rise Bakery shop in East Road in Bridport. 'Officers attended with the ambulance and fire services. No injuries were reported and no arrests were made.'
