Tourist ‘impaled himself on fence while attempting selfie’ in Rome’s Colosseum

Tourists (who were not involved in the incident) take selfies at the Colosseum in October (Picture: Getty)

An American tourist fell backwards onto a spike while trying to scale a fence at Rome’s Colosseum, according to Italian media.

The 47-year-old is thought to have been trying to get a better view and a more dramatic selfie at the iconic Roman site.

Horrified visitors, who raised the alarm, heard him screaming until he lost consciousness, Italian newspaper Il Messagero reported.