An American tourist falls into the crater of Mount Vesuvius after taking a selfie

A 23-year-old man from Maryland was rescued over the weekend after falling into the crater of Mount Vesuvius in Italy while taking a selfie.

The man, known as Philip Carroll, visited The famous volcanonotorious for destroying the Roman city Pompeii And covered with ashes in 79AD, with two family members on Saturday, according to Paolo Capelli, president of Presidio Permanente Vesuvio, a base at the top of Vesuvius where guides work.

The family climbed Vesuvius from the town of Ottaviano and reached the summit of the volcano by a blocked path, Capelli told NBC News by phone.

“This family took another path that was closed to tourists, even if there was a small gate and ‘no access’ signs,” Cappelli said.

When the family reached the top A volcano over 4000 feet highCarol stopped to take a selfie and his phone fell into the hole.

“He tried to get it back, but he slipped and slid a few meters into the hole. He managed to stop his fall but he was stuck in that moment,” Cappelli said.

He added, “He was very lucky. Had he kept moving, he would have sunk 300 meters into the hole.”

VesuviusThe conical crater has a depth of 300 meters, or approximately 1,000 feet, and a diameter of 450 meters, or approximately 1,500 feet.

Carroll suffered scrapes and cuts to his arms and back in the fall.

The guides from Presidio Permanente Vesuvio saw what had happened endoscopically from the other side of the ledge and rushed to help Carol. They used a long rope to pull him to safety.

A video shared on Instagram Sunday, posted by someone who appears to be Carol’s brother, shows the scene from top of Vesuvius. A voice is heard saying, “We have literally climbed to the top of a volcano!”

Cappelli said the local Carabinieri police had detained Carol.

It was not immediately clear what charges he faces.

NBC News has reached out to Carroll and his family for comment.