A 39-year-old motorcycle rider in Brazil has died after a kite string coated with glue and abrasive material reportedly wrapped around his neck while he was traveling home from work.
Construction worker Cleuson Andrade Viana was riding through the Paraíso neighborhood of Santana, in the northern state of Amapá, when he was struck by the dangerous line at around 6:20 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, according to local outlet G1.
The string was reportedly covered in “cerol,” a mixture of glue and abrasive materials commonly used in competitive kite fighting to help one kite cut through another’s line.
Images taken after the incident reportedly showed Viana sitting on a curb and desperately trying to stop the bleeding from his neck.
The Municipality of Santana confirmed his death in a Facebook post on Wednesday, July 1, describing the crash as a motorcycle accident involving what may have been a waxed kite string.
The city offered condolences to his loved ones.
“The Municipality of Santana expresses its solidarity with family and friends, wishing them strength to face this irreparable loss,” the translated statement said.
Viana’s wife, Lenice Moreira, remembered him as an “exceptional guy” and a “loving father.”
She said her husband had left for work in good spirits that day but never made it home.
“He left for work happy,” Moreira told G1.
She also issued a warning to other parents about the dangers of kite flying in public areas.
“I have a 16-year-old son and I don’t let him fly kites because I know it’s not healthy,” she said. “Other parents need to have the same attitude.”
Moreira said the tragedy has devastated the entire family.
“Today, my children lost their father, my mother-in-law lost her son, my siblings lost their brother,” she said. “We are experiencing a grief that hurts, wounds and hurts everyone’s hearts.”
Viana’s mother also called for justice.
“It was the life of a family man, a hardworking man,” she said. “My son was everything to me. My son was my life.”
Lieutenant Ângelo Silva of the military police said kite flying becomes especially popular during summer vacation, increasing the danger on streets and near power lines.
Local rules prohibit people from flying kites or paper kites within 200 meters of electrical networks, but officials say some residents continue to ignore the restrictions.
Silva urged motorcycle riders to take extra precautions.
“We advise motorcyclists to wear shirts with higher collars, always wear a helmet, even for those riding mopeds or electric bicycles,” he told G1.
He also recommended installing protective antennas on motorcycles, which can help deflect kite strings before they reach a rider’s neck.
“Some motorcycles have double antennas, others only one,” Silva said. “The key is to always focus on prevention.”
Sharp kite lines have caused serious injuries and deaths in Brazil for years, prompting repeated calls for tougher laws and a nationwide ban.
