SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA - Authorities say a man in Southern California riding a Christmas tree being dragged behind a sport utility vehicle slammed into a parked car and was hospitalized with head injuries.

Orange County sheriff's spokesman Jim Amormino says the 18-year-old and another teenager were Christmas tree "surfing", a seasonal internet fad.

Captain Greg McKeown said the SUV was going about 40km/h on Sunday night when the female driver took a corner and the tree veered wide and crashed.

Amormino says the driver fled. Two SUV passengers and the other tree surfer told deputies they didn't know the girl.

Authorities did not release any names. The injured man was hospitalised with moderate head injuries. Amormino says he is expected to survive.

He warned against tree surfing, calling it a serious traffic violation.

Submitted on 12/29/2009

Submitted by: Mark Hoyle
Reference: nzherald.co.nz 8:15 AM Wednesday Dec 30, 2009

Copyright © 2009 DarwinAwards.com

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
Given that this is a rather unique variation on car surfing I think it's worthy of hanging on to. Thanks, Mark.

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
A Christmas tree as towcart. Okaayyyy....

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