He risked a flight of more than 1,000 feet, the 23-year-old U.S. tourist who lost his balance and fell into the crater of Mount Vesuvius last Saturday after entering an unauthorized path in an attempt to take a clandestine selfie.
“At around 3 p.m. the service team of volcanological guides spotted two people on the upper part of the crater, an area forbidden to solo access, and they immediately realized that one of the two had slipped inside the crater and was in serious danger”, Paolo Cappelli the president of the Volcano Vesuvius Permanent Presidium said.
Four guides set out instantly, and upon arriving on the scene, one of them was lowered with a rope for about 50 feet, thus enabling him to secure the unwary tourist.
The tourist was brought to safety by security officers, who then provided him with initial treatment: he had multiple grazes on his legs, arms and back. Forest Carabinieri arrived later and took the man into custody, to convey him to the barracks and charge him.
The 23-year-old, who was on a trip with three family members, was charged with encroachment on public land, both for him and the three accompanying family members and two other tourists, who were also caught on a prohibited trail.
“Having spoken directly with those who provided the rescue,” Cappelli disclosed, “I can say that a human life was saved last Saturday on Mount Vesuvius. I officially thank the whole group of guides belonging to the Presidio Permanente Vulcano Vesuvio, always ready and operational in any condition”.
