A solo traveler documenting her European adventures ended up becoming an unlikely internet sensation after her camera captured what she truly believed was a near-death experience. Bex Kellett, a 39-year-old from Huddersfield in the United Kingdom, is a passionate globetrotter who has visited 55 countries, but it was a single clip from Copenhagen that brought her an audience she never expected.
The incident took place back in 2023 when Kellett was exploring the iconic Round Tower in Copenhagen on her own, phone in hand, filming her experience as she went. She came across an opening that appeared to be a deep well covered by a glass floor, the kind of see-through platform often found at tourist attractions where visitors stand above a dramatic drop. Convinced she was about to step onto solid glass and peer into the darkness, she moved forward confidently. What followed was a split second of pure terror.
In the video, which she posted to her Instagram account @northernblondeabroad on February 9, you can hear her say “Let’s see what’s here” as she walks into a small chamber leading toward what looks like a dark, steep shaft. “It looks like a glass floor,” she says cheerfully, before stepping forward and appearing to plunge, followed immediately by a string of startled expletives. A second later, still shaken but already laughing, she realizes what actually happened. It was not a bottomless pit at all, just a step downward.
@sherrynikita Would you step on it? #theroundtower #copenhagen #thehollowcore ♬ Jacob and the Stone – Emile Mosseri
In her post caption, Kellett mentioned the clip was originally filmed three years earlier and had already racked up 20 million views on TikTok, so she was curious how Instagram audiences would respond. She admitted she “never in a million years expected this to go viral.” The clip more than held its own on Instagram too, gathering over 73,000 likes and a comment section full of equally amused reactions. On her original TikTok she had written: “That time I almost died.”
The comments poured in from all corners of the internet. One user wrote, “Whoever decided to put a step in front of a glass floor was diabolical,” while another joked, “I was really hoping for a little natural selection.” A third suggested the step was placed specifically “to give everyone who tries a mini panic attack.” The responses were as much a part of the story as the video itself.
Reflecting on her reaction, Kellett explained her feelings with refreshing honesty. “It’s funny because you know it can’t be a massive hole,” she said, “but when you step and feel the emptiness under your feet, of course your heart stops.” She added that she had no idea the footage would ever go viral, let alone twice.
The Round Tower itself is one of Copenhagen’s most celebrated landmarks, standing nearly 400 years old. According to Visit Copenhagen, the tower offers guests a full 360-degree panoramic view of the city and regularly hosts exhibitions, concerts, and various other cultural events throughout the year. Built between 1637 and 1642 under the reign of King Christian IV of Denmark, it was originally constructed as an astronomical observatory and is believed to be the oldest functioning observatory in Europe. The tower is unique for its distinctive hollow interior, which features a winding spiral ramp rather than a traditional staircase, allowing horse-drawn carriages to ascend in its early days. It stands roughly 115 feet tall and remains one of the most visited attractions in the Danish capital, drawing tourists from around the world who come both for the history and for the sweeping rooftop views.
If you have ever had a similarly terrifying tourist moment or your own accidental travel scare, share your story in the comments.
