A shocking story has been circulating on social media platforms, especially TikTok, claiming that a 9-year-old boy was killed by a fishing line while riding a dirt bike in Australia. The story alleges that someone had set up a fishing line trap between two trees at head height, and the boy was decapitated when he rode into it. Many TikTok users have expressed their condolences and outrage over this tragic incident, but is it true?
The Origin of the Rumor
The rumor seems to have originated from a TikTok video posted by a user named @tumeks, who claimed to be the boy’s uncle. In the video, he showed a photo of the boy smiling on a dirt bike, and then a photo of a fishing line wrapped around a tree. He also showed a screenshot of a news article with the headline “9-year-old killed in dirt bike fishing line accident”. He captioned the video with “Lucky to be alive” and added hashtags such as #motorbike, #lowact, #fyp, #joyriding, and #sad.
The video quickly went viral, gaining over 2 million views and thousands of comments. Many people expressed their sympathy and anger, while others questioned the authenticity of the story. Some pointed out that the news article screenshot was fake, as it had no source or date, and that the photo of the fishing line was taken from another incident that happened in 2017.
The Truth Behind the Story
The story circulating on TikTok about a 9-year-old child being killed in a dirt bike accident involving a fishing line in Australia is entirely false and has no basis in reality. Despite the viral claims, no official news reports or credible sources support this tragic incident1.
It appears that the TikTok user @tumeks was either trolling or trying to gain attention by exploiting a real incident that happened to another teenager in Australia. According to Model Fact1, people seem to be getting confused with a story about a 16-year-old who was injured by fishing wire in Australia, but he wasn’t killed.
A news clip has had more than 600,000 views on TikTok which reveals the kid, called Levi, was riding a dirt bike when the incident happened. It’s not clear when the accident occurred, but the boy’s father explains someone put fishing wire between two trees at head height in the clip. The video was shared on the social media platform this week and includes a photo of the slash the teenager suffered to his neck1.
The news clip was originally aired by ABC News Australia in 20172, and it reported that Levi was lucky to survive the fishing wire trap that could have killed him. The police were investigating the incident as an act of malicious damage and were appealing for witnesses.
The Dangers of Fishing Line Traps
Fishing line traps are not only cruel and illegal, but also extremely dangerous for anyone who encounters them. Fishing line is a strong and flexible cord used in angling to tether and pull in fish. It’s usually transparent and really difficult to see.
There have been many instances of bikers being injured on the neck by fishing line, especially in wooded areas where trails are popular. In some cases, the injuries can be fatal or cause permanent damage.
According to HITC3, in 2019, a 14-year-old boy named Thomas Smith died after he rode into a fishing line trap while cycling in Wales. His mother said he suffered severe injuries to his windpipe and voice box, and died two days later in hospital.
In 2020, a 17-year-old girl named Ria Patel was left with a deep cut across her throat after she rode into a fishing line trap while cycling in London. She said she felt like she was being strangled and could have died if the line had hit her an inch higher or lower.
In 2021, a 47-year-old man named Mark Webb was left with a scar across his neck after he rode into a fishing line trap while cycling in Essex. He said he felt a sharp pain and saw blood dripping from his neck. He managed to call for help and was taken to hospital.
How to Prevent and Report Fishing Line Traps
Fishing line traps are not only harmful to humans, but also to wildlife and the environment. They can entangle animals such as birds, bats, squirrels, and deer, causing them to suffer or die. They can also litter the natural landscape and pose a fire hazard.
To prevent and report fishing line traps, here are some tips:
- Be alert and vigilant when riding or walking in wooded areas or trails. Look out for any signs of fishing line or other suspicious objects.
- Wear protective gear such as helmets, goggles, gloves, and neck guards when riding bikes or motorcycles.
- If you encounter a fishing line trap, do not touch it or try to remove it. It could be booby-trapped or attached to something dangerous. Take a photo of it and note the location.
- Report the fishing line trap to the local authorities or the landowner as soon as possible. Provide them with the photo and the location details. They will be able to safely remove the trap and investigate the incident.
- Spread awareness and educate others about the dangers of fishing line traps and how to prevent and report them.
Conclusion
The story of a 9-year-old boy being killed by a fishing line while riding a dirt bike in Australia is a viral hoax that has no evidence or credibility. It is based on a fake TikTok video that exploited a real incident that happened to another teenager who survived.
Fishing line traps are a serious threat to anyone who enjoys outdoor activities, especially in wooded areas or trails. They can cause severe injuries or death to humans and animals, and damage the environment. They are also illegal and punishable by law.
To protect yourself and others from fishing line traps, be alert and vigilant, wear protective gear, report any traps you find, and spread awareness and education. Together, we can stop this cruel and dangerous practice.