Three fabric layers torn: Kite string nearly strangles biker near KL park

New Straits Times

2 days ago

KUALA LUMPUR: A motorcyclist was left injured and shaken after a kite string wrapped around his neck while he was riding near Taman Tasik Metropolitan Kepong on Sunday evening.
"I couldn't stop because there were cars on both sides. All I could do was slow down the motorcycle and wait for the string around my neck to snap on its own," said Muhammad Faris Rosaidee, 27, recalling the terrifying moment.
Taman Metropolitan Kepong is a popular kite flying area.
A circulating video on WhatsApp and Facebook shows the biker with a neck injury — a raw line of broken skin.
The civil servant said the incident occurred around 6pm while he was travelling from his home in Batu Caves to Bandar Sri Damansara to meet a friend.
Faris was riding along the Kuala Lumpur Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2), a route he regularly uses, when he felt something brush against him before a kite string suddenly tightened around his neck.
"I didn't see the string. I felt it first touch my body, then rise to chest level and finally around my neck.
"I was wearing three layers of clothing at the time – a jacket, a shirt, and I had a backpack. All three were torn, and it scraped the skin on my shoulder slightly," he told Harian Metro.
Fortunately, Faris was wearing a face and neck covering that reduced the severity of the injury.
"The doctor said it only affected the outermost layer of skin, like a burn... there was no bleeding, and I've already been to a nearby clinic for treatment," he said, adding that he has lodged a police report at the Gombak District Police Headquarters (IPD).
As the incident occurred within the Kepong area, police from the local station contacted him for further details and helped facilitate reports to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the traffic police.
"This morning, I went there and then proceeded to DBKL to file an official complaint. Alhamdulillah, all police reports have been submitted," he said.
Faris said that this was not an isolated case, claiming others have reported similar incidents involving kite strings in the area.
He also returned to the scene and confronted two individuals near the string.
"I asked them whose kite it was. They said they were only there to help… I didn't suspect them of anything," he said.
Faris is calling for designated kite-flying zones to prevent similar incidents and has encouraged other victims to come forward.
"I made the video to raise awareness. For those asking about my condition – Alhamdulillah, my health is mostly unaffected. I'm just worried if it happens to someone else next time," he said.