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Regular-article-logo Tuesday, 16 April 2024

Kite string kills scooter rider in Calcutta

Akhtar Khan was taken to Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital, where he was declared dead

Our Special Correspondent Calcutta Published 16.05.20, 09:13 PM
Police officers said there had been several reports of two-wheeler-riders suffering injuries caused by kite threads, mostly on the Parama flyover. None, however, could recall any death caused by a kite string in the city.

Police officers said there had been several reports of two-wheeler-riders suffering injuries caused by kite threads, mostly on the Parama flyover. None, however, could recall any death caused by a kite string in the city. Representational image from Shutterstock

A scooterist plying along the AJC Bose Road flyover died after his throat got entangled in a glass powder-coated kite thread near Park Circus on Saturday evening, police said.

Akhtar Khan, 40, a resident of Kabitirtha Sarani in Watgunge, was taken to Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital, where he was declared dead. He used to drive an app-cab for a living.

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Police officers said there had been several reports of two-wheeler-riders suffering injuries caused by kite threads, mostly on the Parama flyover. None, however, could recall any death caused by a kite string in the city.

Police said Saturday’s fatal accident happened around 5.15pm, when the two-wheeler was heading towards Park Circus from the racecourse side.

Sources in Beniapukur police station said CCTV footage showed Khan was riding along the right side of the flyover before moving to his left.

“The footage showed the scooter overtook a few vehicles and then started staggering. Finally, when it hit the landing of the flyover in Park Circus, the man collapsed on the scooter and the vehicle skidded,” said an officer.

Khan was bleeding from a deep cut on his throat.

His throat and scooter were found entangled in several feet of a kite string, the officer said.

A number of motorcyclists have suffered critical injuries on their face, throat, chin and lips after being lashed by kite threads.

Police said Khan was wearing a helmet but the thread still caught his throat.

Officers could not find the source of the kite thread till late on Saturday.

“Sometimes a kite flown from far away can injure a person. It is best not to fly kites anywhere near flyovers or bridges,” the officer said.

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