Surat Family Dies After Kite String Incident on Flyover
Surat, Gujarat – A tragic accident on the Chandrashekhar Azad Flyover (also known as Jilani Bridge) in Surat claimed the lives of a man and his young daughter on Wednesday, January 15, 2026, after their motorcycle collided with a kite string. The incident occurred during Uttarayan, a festival celebrated in Gujarat with kite flying.
Rehan Shaikh, 35, was driving his motorcycle across the flyover with his wife, Rehana, 30, and their seven-year-old daughter, Alisha. A stray kite string, reportedly made of nylon, became entangled with Rehan while they were crossing the bridge. In an attempt to remove the string, Rehan lost control of the motorcycle, causing the vehicle to hit the divider. The family was thrown off the flyover, plunging approximately 70 feet to the ground below.
Rehan and Alisha died instantly from the fall. Rehana survived the fall, landing on a parked auto-rickshaw, but sustained serious injuries. She was immediately rushed to the hospital and is currently receiving medical treatment.
The Rander police have registered a case of accidental death and have begun investigations. Sub-inspector H. N. Parmar stated that they are taking statements from eyewitnesses. The bodies of Rehan and Alisha have been sent to the New Civil Hospital for post-mortem.
This is not the first incident of its kind in Surat. Sharp kite strings, often coated with glass powder to make them more effective at cutting other kites' lines, have long been a hazard, especially during the Uttarayan festival. These strings, known as "manja," pose a significant threat to humans, birds, and animals. Just days earlier, on January 12, 2024, a 22-year-old woman died after a kite string slit her throat while she was riding her moped on a flyover in Surat.
The increasing number of accidents caused by kite strings has prompted authorities to take preventative measures. In the past, the police commissioner issued notifications banning two-wheelers on flyovers during Uttarayan. However, these measures have not entirely prevented such tragedies from occurring. Local residents have expressed concerns about the safety of the Chandrashekhar Azad Flyover, stating it is a "death trap" and demanding the installation of grills or barriers to prevent people and vehicles from falling off.
The accident has sparked outrage and grief in the community, with many calling for stricter regulations on the use of dangerous kite strings and improved safety measures on flyovers. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with kite flying during Uttarayan and the need for greater awareness and preventative action to protect citizens.
