Backpacker Dominic Emmenegger, 21, thought it looked like a "nice road", but the busy stretch carries more than 150,000 cars a day.

He said he risked his own life attempting to ride through the 3.4 kilometre tunnel, and has warned others not to mimic the dangerous stunt.

Swiss tourist Dominic Emmenegger spotted by motorists riding his skateboard through the Burnley Tunnel.

"I will never do it again," he told 7News. "Please all the guys out there, don't do it, it's crazy, I could have died."

He suffered a few minor cuts and scrapes when he fell riding through the tunnel, and was taken to the Alfred Hospital.

Mr Emmenegger told 7News it was too late to turn back once he realised his mistake, and insisted there should be more warning signs to stop pedestrians, and skateboarders, making a wrong turn.

"In Switzerland, we have a lot of warning signs, but there was no warning signs here," he said.

Alan Morton who works with the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, was driving through the tunnel when he saw the daredevil. He pulled over and told him to get in.

"He seemed completely unaware of the danger that he was in and the fact that he shouldn't be in the tunnel as a pedestrian or skateboarder," he told ABC Local Radio.

"I suppose you can't protect some people from their own stupidity but when I said why did you go down the tunnel and he said it looked like a nice road," he said.

Mr Morton says the man was a bit of a thrill-seeker with a death wish.

It is not known if he will be charged with any offence.

Submitted on 06/01/2011

Submitted by: Kristy
Reference: Yahoo7 news 2nd June 2011

Copyright © 2011 DarwinAwards.com

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
What gets me is that this dolt thinks there should be signs warning people not to skateboard through the tunnel. He just doesn't want to admit to his own blatant stupidity. Thanks, Kristy!

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
A tunnel that has a huge amount of cars going through it... and he thinks that he needs a *sign* to tell him to stay away!?! Thanks, Kristy!

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