A joyous Uttarayan outing ended in tragedy for a family in Surat, Gujarat, after their motorcycle plunged approximately 70 feet from the Chandrashekhar Azad Flyover (also known locally as Jilani Bridge) on Wednesday evening.
Rehan Shaikh (34) and his daughter Alisha Khatun (10) died at the scene, while his wife Rehana Bibi (33) initially survived after landing on an autorickshaw below but later succumbed to her injuries in hospital.
While early accounts by relatives suggested a kite string became entangled around the rider’s hand on the flyover, causing him to lose control, police have noted that no evidence of kite string contact was found during the initial investigation and are continuing to probe the precise cause of the accident.
An FIR has been registered against the rider for rash and negligent driving, and the incident has further spotlighted ongoing concerns over the risks posed by kite strings and road safety during festival periods.
Fatal Plunge During Festival Celebrations
The horrific incident took place on the evening of 14 January 2026, a public holiday in many parts of India as people celebrated Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti), a festival traditionally associated with kite flying and family gatherings.
According to police in the Rander area of Surat, the family were riding a motorcycle towards Subhash Garden in Mora Bhagan when the crash occurred. Officers reported that while the motorcycle was taking a turn on the flyover, the rider lost control of the vehicle, causing it to strike the railing and hurl the occupants over the edge.
Both Rehan and his daughter Alisha died either on impact or shortly after being rushed to Zainab Hospital, while Rehana, who survived the initial fall, was later transferred to Mahavir Hospital where she passed away on Thursday afternoon.
Initial narratives from local media and family members said a kite string wrapped around Rehan’s arm, forcing him to attempt removal with one hand and destabilising the vehicle as it moved at speed.
However, police have clarified that no kite string remnants or related cuts were found on the bodies or the bike during the preliminary investigation, and the registered FIR implicates rash and negligent riding causing death. Investigators have emphasised their ongoing efforts to determine the accident’s exact dynamics, including whether speed, flyover curvature or unseen obstructions played a role.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes following the fall. A local autorickshaw driver whose vehicle absorbed much of the family’s fall told reporters he was having tea nearby when the three figures suddenly crashed onto his rickshaw, crushing it and injuring him slightly. Spectators quickly gathered as emergency services were alerted to the distressing spectacle.
Kite Strings, Festive Safety Lapses
This tragic loss is part of a broader pattern of accidents and fatalities linked to kite flying during Uttarayan, particularly in Gujarat, where the tradition is fervently celebrated. Each year, authorities warn of the dangers posed by sharp and glass-coated kite strings known as “manjha,” which can cause severe injuries to riders, pedestrians and even birds.
Indeed, rescue campaigns under the state’s ‘Karuna Abhiyan–2026’ initiative treated 1,841 injured birds with over 200 reported dead in efforts to mitigate the festival’s impact on wildlife, further underscoring the risks of hazardous kite strings.
In the wider region, reports have emerged of other fatal and serious incidents during this year’s festival period. In Anand Villa, Surat, an 8-year-old boy died after a kite string entangled around his neck while riding a bicycle, police said, highlighting that such dangers aren’t limited to traffic scenarios alone. Emergency departments across districts reported surges in calls related to kite-string injuries, from neck lacerations to falls and collisions.
Furthermore, official data from neighbouring districts like Rajkot showed that at least eight people lost their lives in separate kite-related incidents during the festival, with young children and youth particularly affected. Emergency services reported vast increases in both vehicular and non-vehicular trauma calls over the Uttarayan weekend, straining healthcare and first-responder capacities.
Despite periodic bans on Chinese manjha and similar hazardous strings, enforcement remains challenging. Vendors often sell banned kite strings openly, and their remnants can drift onto roads, rail lines and open spaces where they pose hidden threats. Campaigns urging the public to use safer alternatives and abide by regulations have been actively promoted by police and civic bodies, yet compliance varies.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The devastating loss of an entire family during what should have been a festive outing is a stark reminder of the hidden perils that cultural celebrations can bring when safety and regulation lag behind enthusiasm. Festivals such as Uttarayan form important threads in the social and cultural tapestry of India, offering communities moments of joy, togetherness and tradition. Yet, these moments must never come at the expense of human life.
This tragedy underscores the urgent need for proactive safety awareness, stronger enforcement of bans on dangerous kite strings and comprehensive public education on risk mitigation. It is not enough to erect barriers or issue advisories; there must be community-wide engagement and a shared sense of responsibility.
