By Olivia Scheck and Amy Zimmer
DNAinfo Reporters/Producers
MANHATTAN — A man suffered a broken ankle after falling from Central Park's famed Belvedere Castle while trying to scale the structure in an effort to impress a girl, authorities said.
The victim, described as between 35 and 45 years old, hopped over a railing at the tourist destination and attempted to climb the castle's facade, according to the FDNY and officials at the scene.
The would-be daredevil lost his footing and tumbled at least one story onto an embankment of rocks next to Turtle Pond, fire sources said.
He suffered a broken right ankle and minor head trauma in the fall, as well as cuts to his arms, the FDNY added. He remained conscious after the incident and was taken to St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, fire officials said.
Emergency responders and firefighters from Ladder 25 on the Upper West Side were on the scene at around 6 p.m. to hoist the unidentified man up from the rocks, fire officials said.
The Gothic-looking castle, near the Great Lawn, is a favorite spot for Central Park visitors. Its observatory provides the highest views of the park and its cityscape, according to the Central Park Conservancy.
with Patrick Hedlund
