Fountain fuss

Water fountains are refreshing ornamental attractions. Among the most famous of these is the Trevi in Rome, Italy.

The 18th-century landmark is visited by millions of tourists who flock to Rome every year. They throw coins into the fountain for good luck.

There was one visitor who used the fountain for a different purpose. The woman climbed the rocks lining the Trevi until she reached its spout. A stunned crowd then saw her fill a bottle with the flowing water.

Some tourists recorded the Trevi trespasser and the next scene — a security guard confronting the woman and leading her away. The video went viral when it was posted on social media.

Another fountain fan breached the security perimeter of the famous Jet d'Eau in Geneva, Switzerland on 21 August. The man in his 20s just wanted to embrace the jet of water in the giant fountain.

The man tried the dangerous stunt twice. When he tried to press his face to the fountain nozzle, the spurt threw him backward. He approached it again to embrace the powerful torrent.

This time, the water pressure sent him flying several meters into the air. He came crashing down on the cement walkway around the fountain before he threw himself into the surrounding lake, Swiss news outlet 20 Minutes reported.

It was not surprising that he was thrown up like a rag doll by the force of the water.

The fountain nozzle shoots out 500 liters of water at a speed of 200 kilometers an hour, reaching a height of 140 meters before cascading down into Lake Geneva, according to Agence France-Presse.

Witnesses alerted police to the water hijinks. The fountain was shut down as the police fished the injured man out of the water and brought him to a hospital.

WJG WITH AFP @tribunephl_wjg