Who Knew Kites Can Be Deadly?

Last Sunday evening, a biker was seriously injured by a kite line that was precariously stretched across the Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge. Jenifer Noble and her friend, whose identity has not been released, were returning from a beach day at Jacob Riis Park in Queens, N.Y.

Noble, who was riding in front, saw the string and described what happened next like this:

“I caught it with my hand. I tried to prevent it from moving, but it cut through my fingers and then my forehead and then hit me on the helmet, and I went backwards, and it went over me and hit him.”

The line wrapped around her friend’s neck, slicing it so deeply that his trachea was severed. Witnesses said the man collapsed to the pavement, with blood pouring from the gaping wound in his neck. Other cyclists nearby rushed to stop the bleeding as Noble shouted for help.

EMTs transported the man to NYC Health and Hospitals/Coney Island, but his injuries were too severe. He was quickly transferred to the ICU at Kings County Hospital, where he remains in critical condition due to life-threatening neck injuries.

In a GoFundMe post that has gone viral, one of the man’s friends wrote:

“He was gurgling — choking on his own blood. It cut his windpipe. It nearly killed him.”

Investigators still do not know the origin of the string, but Noble is convinced it was intentional.

“I saw a strange black-and-white kite flying out of control near the bridge just before it happened. When I hit the line, I knew instantly — this was no toy. This was something meant to slice.”

Experts believe that the string may have been coated with powdered glass, which is commonly used in illegal kite-fighting matches. In these contests, opponents use a special string called “manja” to try to cut each other’s lines mid-air. This dangerous pastime has already claimed lives in several countries, including the deaths of children who have been seriously injured, some decapitated by stray strings.

“It’s basically flying razor wire,” one local kite enthusiast told us. “It’s not for parks. It’s for killing kites — or worse.”

Manja is a specialized type of thread used in kite-flying competitions to cut the strings of opponents’ kites. This thread may be made from sharp materials or coated with finely crushed glass, metal, or other substances. Not only does manja cut through other kite strings, but it can also cause painful and life-threatening injuries, affecting both animals and humans, including children. Additionally, manja poses a risk of expensive power outages and electrocution when it comes into contact with power lines.

Now, with one victim in the ICU and another badly injured and traumatized, people are asking how can these strings be legal and who is flying the death traps over city bike lanes?

“There are no laws in NYC banning glass-coated string,” a police source confirmed. “But maybe there should be.”

Police are asking anyone who saw someone flying a kite near the bridge on Sunday afternoon to come forward.

A friend of the victim stated, “He’s awake, but barely. He can’t talk. He’s breathing through tubes, and he’s got a long, painful road ahead.”

Noble, who was more fortunate, was released from the hospital with deep cuts to her hands and head. She is shaken but determined to speak out.

“This can’t happen again. People need to know: there are killers in the sky.”

Before learning about this incident, I was not aware that kite fighting even existed. It sounds totally ridiculous that something this dangerous is being used for something so silly.  We live on the beach, and in the summer, kite flying is not uncommon. I shudder to think of the damage this type of line could do to children who are playing, not to mention the birds and other wildlife that would be at risk.

I have often said that when you make something idiot proof, someone makes a better idiot. Now, a new law will be necessary to keep kite flying safe.

You can’t make this stuff up.