Residents of Kraków, Poland, woke up to a bizarre and dangerous scene early Monday morning — an electric scooter perched precariously on top of a 40-meter-tall pylon above the Vistula River.
The scooter was spotted by joggers crossing the Bernatek Footbridge, who couldn’t believe their eyes when they looked up and saw the small two-wheeler balancing high above the river, as if someone had tried to park it in the sky.
Authorities were quickly alerted, fearing that the scooter could fall at any moment and injure someone walking below. Kraków firefighters arrived on the scene within minutes, setting up a rescue operation that looked more like something out of an action movie than a routine call.
Using a specialized aerial ladder truck and a team of high-altitude rescue specialists, firefighters carefully scaled the massive steel pylon. The operation took nearly two hours, as rescuers had to account for strong winds and slippery metal surfaces.
“Even for us, this was a highly unusual situation,” said fire department spokesperson Łukasz Nowak. “It wasn’t just about removing the scooter — it was about doing it safely without risking anyone’s life.”
Once the scooter was secured and brought down, police began investigating how it ended up there in the first place. Early reports suggest it was likely a prank, possibly carried out overnight by thrill-seekers with climbing equipment.
However, officials aren’t laughing. Leaving objects on tall structures is not only illegal but can also endanger lives and cause serious accidents if they fall.
City officials released a statement condemning the act, calling it “reckless and irresponsible.” Surveillance cameras in the area are now being reviewed to identify those responsible.
Social media quickly lit up with photos of the scooter, with some users jokingly calling it “the most expensive parking ticket in Kraków.” But others pointed out that this so-called prank could have easily turned deadly.
By mid-afternoon, the scooter had been safely removed, and the bridge reopened to pedestrians. Authorities confirmed no one was hurt — though the mystery of who pulled off the stunt remains unsolved.