This is the moment an American daredevil in Switzerland zooms down the side of a steep mountain at speeds of up to 70mph in a clip that sparked a police probe.
According to local media, the hair-raising video shows American longboard skater Josh Neuman from North Carolina speeding down a mountain road between Oberrickenbach and Wolfenschiessen in the Swiss canton of Nidwalden.
Video Credit: CEN/@josh_neuman1 – Film: Jake Kuick
At speeds of up to 70mph, Josh is seen descending the public road at a starting altitude of 2,933 feet down to 1,673 feet above sea level.
Josh said: “It was an unbelievable run which we planned well.”
Josh said that a car was driving 30 to 45 seconds ahead of him to communicate whether vehicles were approaching from the other direction.
His video went viral on YouTube with over three million views. Netizen ‘Brissk’ wrote: “This man has amazing balance. That’s all this comes down to.”
‘Simon Verhofstadt’ wrote: “Was I the only one worrying about the destructive power of a pebble on the ground?”
However, the footage was seen by traffic police in the Canton of Nidwalden who are considering whether to take legal action against the American.
Deputy chief Dario Habermacher said: “We consider such ‘actions’ on public roads as highly dangerous.”
The police chief said that, besides the obvious risks to Josh himself, the stunt posed a danger to other road users.
Habermacher said: “This, as well as the requirement to drive on the right side of the road, is not met in the case of the video.”
He said that if Josh had been caught at the scene, he most likely would have been given a hefty fine.
Luckily for Josh, it appears as though he may escape police punishment.
Habermacher said: “In this case, it will not be easy since the suspect does not live in Switzerland.”
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Story By: Koen Berghuis, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
