In a tragic and bizarre accident, a 41-year-old father of three lost his life after being struck by a sharp kite string while riding a motorcycle with his wife in Rio de Janeiro.
The incident occurred as the couple was on their way to visit their daughter in Duque de Caxias, a town in the northern part of the city.
What seemed to be a harmless string across the road turned out to be part of a dangerous fighting kite setup, leading to a fatal accident that shocked the local community.
The Horrific Accident
Auriel Missael Henrique, a Brazilian native, was riding a motorcycle with his wife on a Tuesday afternoon when the unthinkable happened. They encountered a string hanging across the road, which was actually part of a fighting kite — a popular but dangerous hobby in Brazil.
Kite fighting involves participants flying kites with strings coated in glue and powdered glass, designed to cut through the strings of their opponents’ kites during battles.
As the motorcycle sped along, the string, known locally as linha chilena, wrapped around Auriel’s neck. The sharp kite cord sliced open his throat, critically wounding him. His wife and a passing driver quickly rushed to his aid, attempting to stop the bleeding.
They got him to a hospital in Nova Iguacu, but tragically, Auriel suffered a cardiac arrest on the way and passed away before medical help could save him. He leaves behind three children, aged 21, 19, and 6.
The Dangers of Kite Fighting
Kite fighting has long been a controversial sport in Brazil, known for its dangerous practice of using sharp strings to cut the lines of other kites. While it’s meant to be a recreational activity, the risks it poses, especially to motorcyclists, are significant.
Many motorcyclists are vulnerable to serious injuries or even death if they encounter these sharp strings while riding.
These kite strings are often left discarded on roads and streets after kite battles. In many cases, motorcyclists, who are the most susceptible to accidents, suffer severe injuries when they come into contact with the sharp cords.
As mentioned by the Brazilian Association of Motorcyclists (ABRAM), kite string-related incidents cause over 100 accidents annually in Brazil. Half of these accidents lead to severe injuries, such as scars and mutilations, while a quarter of them are fatal.
The Fight to Ban Dangerous Kite Strings
The use of dangerous kite strings coated with glass and glue is already banned in several parts of Brazil, including Rio de Janeiro. This tragic incident has further highlighted the need for stricter enforcement and regulations.
A bill is currently moving through Brazil’s congress that aims to outlaw the manufacture, sale, and use of these razor-sharp kite strings nationwide.
The proposed legislation, if passed, would impose penalties including one to three years in prison and hefty fines for violators. The bill, which was approved by the lower house of congress in February of the previous year, is now awaiting a vote in the senate.
In response to the rising danger, many motorcyclists have started using special antennas with razor blades on their bikes’ fronts. These antennas are designed to cut through any kite strings they might encounter, offering some protection to riders against the sharp cords.