"A Cyclist's Grim Encounter with a Kite String" - Kite Line Slashes Cyclist's Neck in New York
Cyclist's Throat Slashed by Dragon Whip
Want a wild ride? How about a Sunday afternoon cycle trip that leaves you in the ICU? That's exactly what happened to a 40-year-old cyclist in New York City last weekend. Accidentally colliding with the taut string of a kite on the Marine Parkway Bridge, he ended up with a slit throat and severe blood loss.
Jennifer Noble, a 36-year-old cyclist who was with the victim, narrated the gruesome incident to the blog "Gothamist". They had spent the day at Jacob Riis Park, Queens, and were on their way home when they encountered the lethal kite line.
"We hit a line that was barely visible," said Noble, a birdwatcher who has a penchant for observing the skies. "I could feel the wind tension on it. I knew it was a kite string."
The kite, resembling those used in , zippered through Noble's hand, slicing her fingers and forehead. It then disappeared into the distance but not before slashing the victim's neck. The New York Police Department confirmed the severity of the injuries to "Gothamist". Other cyclists who witnessed the incident immediately tended to the injured duo and contacted emergency services.
The 40-year-old was rushed to the hospital, where he remains in the ICU, though his condition is gradually improving. Noble was discharged later that evening. To help cover the hefty hospital bills, a Gofundme campaign was started for the victim.
Dating back to 2023, reports of crashed fighting kites causing environmental damage and accidents due to sharp, glass-coated kite strings have surfaced[3][5]. With such incidents on the rise, Noble is advocating for increased safety measures to prevent further accidents.
"It's a glaring safety issue," she said. "If it's part of kite fighting that one of the kites gets cut off and flies away, I don't know how you can make it safe. It's only a matter of time before someone else gets injured this way."
While NYC hosts family-friendly kite festivals like the one at Brooklyn Bridge Park, the dangers of leftover kite lines from kite fights continue to worry residents and cyclists[2]. Regrettably, the search results reveal no clear regulations or safety guidelines in place to address this concern.
- USA
- New York City
- Bicycle Accident
I'm not sure if there are specific rules about it, but with the rise of accidents caused by kite lines, especially those used in kite fights, it's important to consider enhanced safety measures. These lines can be dangerous not only for cyclists but also for other pedestrians, as we experienced firsthand in New York City.
