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 currently being investigated by the police after driving his Mercedes A-class down the historic Spanish Steps in Rome at 4 am on Tuesday.
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 authorities reported: “He was unharmed, appeared lucid, and tested negative for alcohol, although it’s unusual he said he was going to work at that hour.”
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.
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.
Causing destruction or considerable damage to a landmark like the Spanish Steps can result in up to one year of imprisonment and a substantial fine exceeding €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.
