Brit holidaymaker is left fighting for his life after ‘tripping over and impaling himself’ on a metal fence near popular beach in Zante

A British holidaymaker is fighting for his life after tripping and getting impaled on a metal fence near a popular beach in Zante, local media reports.

Two fire engines rushed to the scene after the tourist, believed to be around 50- years-old, fell and injured himself on Monday night near a hotel in the south of the island.

An iron spike on the fence reportedly came just millimeters from severing a carotid artery, supplying the brain and head with blood.

The man was taken to Zakynthos hospital with part of the fence still in his neck, according to Greek media reports.

The man was taken to Zakynthos hospital with part of the fence still in his neck, according to Greek media reports (file image of Laganas where the man was walking to)

Footage from local television showed a spiked black railing clearly cut where firefighters had come to his rescue. 

The victim is understood to still be intubated in hospital, using an artificial pipe to help him breathe.

Authorities are still trying to work out how the accident happened. 

He was said to have been walking in Agrilia towards Laganas when he fell and was impaled.

The man has not yet been identified.