British teenager in hospital after ‘20ft fall from Florence hotel balcony while retrieving headphones’
A British holidaymaker is in a critical condition in hospital after falling from a hotel balcony, it has been reported.
The 19-year-old man fell more than 20ft from a balcony at a hotel in Florence, Italy, as he tried to retrieve his smartphone headphones, according to The Sun.
It said he suffered serious injuries as he fell from the third floor of the building while his horrified girlfriend looked on.
The railing of the balcony gave way, causing the man to fall backwards and land in a courtyard, according to reports.
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He was taken to a nearby hospital where he was said to be in a critical condition.
A police source told the newspaper: “The guy is lucky to be alive.
“He climbed over the railing to get his headphones which had fallen on to a ledge below.
“As he then climbed back over the railing gave way and he fell backwards, hitting some stone coving and flower pots before landing in the courtyard.
“He has severe injuries to his head from the fall and also from being struck by debris as the balcony gave way.
“The girl he was with was treated for severe shock.”
The room has been closed off while an investigation is carried out.
The Foreign Office said: “We are assisting a British man who has been hospitalised in Florence, and our staff are offering support to his family.”
