Fact Check: Firefighters used a crane to remove the stuck luxury car from the Spanish Steps!

Fact Check: "Firefighters used a crane to remove the stuck luxury car from the Spanish Steps!"

What We Know

On a recent Tuesday, an 80-year-old man drove a compact luxury Mercedes-Benz A Class sedan down the iconic Spanish Steps in Rome, ultimately getting the vehicle stuck partway down. According to municipal police, the driver tested negative for alcohol and was cited for driving on a monument that is not intended for vehicles. The car was later removed by firefighters using a crane (Washington Post, AP News). The Spanish Steps, built in the 1720s, are a protected cultural monument and have been the site of similar incidents in the past (Independent, ABC News).

Analysis

The claim that firefighters used a crane to remove the stuck luxury car is supported by multiple credible sources. The Washington Post and AP News both confirm that the car was indeed removed by firefighters using a crane, providing a clear account of the incident. The Independent and ABC News corroborate this information, emphasizing the unusual nature of the event given the historical significance of the Spanish Steps.

The sources used are reputable news organizations known for their journalistic integrity. The Washington Post and AP News are particularly reliable, as they adhere to strict editorial standards and fact-checking processes. The Independent and ABC News also have established reputations in reporting news accurately.

While the incident itself raises questions about safety and the appropriateness of driving on such a historic site, the specific claim regarding the use of a crane by firefighters is factual and well-documented.

Conclusion

Verdict: True. The claim that firefighters used a crane to remove the stuck luxury car from the Spanish Steps is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The details of the incident, including the involvement of firefighters and the use of a crane, are consistently reported across various news outlets.

Sources

1. An 80-year-old drives a luxury Mercedes sedan down Rome's Spanish Steps
2. An 80-year-old drives a luxury Mercedes sedan down ...
3. Elderly driver gets Mercedes stuck on Rome's famous Spanish Steps
4. An 80-year-old drives a luxury Mercedes down Rome's Spanish Steps
5. An 80-year-old drives a luxury Mercedes sedan down Rome's Spanish Steps ...
6. Man, 80, gets stuck while driving luxury Mercedes car down Rome ... - MSN
7. Elderly Man Gets Stuck While Trying to Drive Down Rome's Spanish Steps
8. An 80-year-old drives a luxury Mercedes sedan down ...