Sep 28, Kathmandu - Kathmandu Valley is alive with vibrant, colorful kites soaring high in the sky as the Dashain festival draws near. Children and the elderly alike are seen enjoying the tradition of flying kites from rooftops, fields, and open spaces across the city.

In addition to traditional kite flying, some enthusiasts engage in competitive kite fights, using sharp, tightly wound threads to cut opponents' kites a practice that has become synonymous with Dashain celebrations and an integral part of local culture.

Recently, a severe incident was reported on Ashwin 6 in Gwarko, Lalitpur, caused by a stray kite string.

According to reports, a man from Bhojpur, travelling on a scooter from Kalanki towards Pepsicola, was suddenly caught in an accident after reaching the Gwarko overpass. As he approached, a thin kite string wrapped around his neck with a sudden jerk.

“Suddenly, a string hit my neck with a jerk,” the victim recounted. “The thin string cut deeply into the front of my neck. Despite the injury, I managed to stay on the scooter to avoid falling, which could have led to a much more serious accident for my family.”

The kite string, loose and hanging from the overpass area, caused the injury while the man was riding his scooter with his wife and son behind him. The thin thread inflicted a severe wound on his neck.

He was rushed to New Baneshwor’s Civil Hospital, where emergency surgeries were performed. Multiple stitches were required to save his life.

“The wound has healed quite well now, but our family was fortunate to escape a much worse fate that day,” he told reporters. “My wife also sustained injuries to her fingers from the string and had to receive treatment at the same hospital.”

His relative, Rajiv Shrestha, confirmed that the injuries could have been much more serious.

“While returning home on the scooter with his wife and four-year-old son, a kite string was flying loose from the overpass, causing deep cuts to his neck and his wife’s fingers,” he explained. “Doctors said it was an unpredictable and dangerous situation. Fortunately, both are now recovering with follow-up treatment.”

Medical professionals at Civil Hospital stated that the man required two emergency surgeries to treat his neck wound. He and his family are now on the mend.