A 23-year-old American tourist reportedly needed emergency brain surgery after falling off an historic monument in the Italian city of Turin while trying to capture a selfie.

The young man, thought to be the son of a Fiat Chrysler Automobiles boss, plummeted from the statue of General Alfonso Ferrero La Marmorain in the Piazza Bodoni on Tuesday night.

He was rushed to the city's CTO Hospital where he is currently receiving treatment in the intensive care ward.

A 23-year-old American tourist reportedly needed emergency brain surgery after falling off a historic monument in the Italian city of Turin while trying to capture a selfie

The young man, thought to be the son of a Fiat Chrysler Automobiles boss, plummeted from the statue of General Alfonso Ferrero La Marmorain (pictured) in the Piazza Bodoni on Tuesday night

He scaled the monument - the horse-riding soldier mounted on a plinth - while out drinking with friends, according to La Republica.

Italy recently introduced tough new laws to stamp down on antisocial and disrespectful behaviour at the country's historic sites.

And the number of so-called 'selfie deaths' has rocketed in past years, with a reported 259 people dying last year while trying to take the perfect picture.