This weekend, video from a kite-flying festival in Hinschu, Taiwan went viral after a 3-year-old girl was caught in a giant kite and sent flying high into the air. The video of the terrifying accident has been circulated widely across social media platforms.
In the video, several people prepare a large long-tailed orange kite in a crowd at the Hsinchu International Kite Festival. Even while being held by several men, the kite can be seen billowing in the strong winds.
Once they let the kite go, it soars into the sky and takes the toddler with it. From the video, it’s unclear how or when the young girl got caught in the tail; however, The New York Times reports that the kite was tangled around her neck.
As the child is whipped into the air and swung around, screams can be heard as the crowd disperses in chaos. The child is aloft for nearly 30 seconds before the kite was pulled low enough for bystanders to sit on the kite to keep it down. Then, bystanders were able to grab the little girl and pull her to safety.
No Major Injuries Reported
The girl, who was only identified by her last name, Lin, was promptly taken to a local hospital. A medical examination found no major injuries, only minor abrasions around her face and neck. She has since been discharged and is now at home with her family.
On Facebook, Hinschu Mayor Lin Chih-chien apologized for the incident and disclosed that the festival was suspended to ensure safety while they investigate the incident.
The full video of the incident can be viewed below.
Caution: The following footage may be disturbing for viewers.