What began as a magical evening of holiday cheer turned into a nightmare for thousands gathered at Lake Eola Park in Orlando, Florida, when several drones fell from the sky during a light show. Among the injured was a 7-year-old boy, Alezander Edgerton, who required emergency heart surgery after being struck by a drone.
The third annual Orlando holiday drone show, operated by Sky Elements Drone Shows, was meant to dazzle the crowd of 25,000 with a festive array of red and green lights. However, just 15 minutes into the performance, chaos ensued as several drones collided mid-air and plummeted into the crowd below.
“No, no, no, no!” a bystander exclaimed in a video capturing the incident, as people scrambled for safety. The event was immediately halted, and the second show scheduled for later that night was canceled due to “technical difficulties,” city officials confirmed.
Adriana Edgerton, Alezander’s mother, described the harrowing experience. “Everyone’s natural instinct was to duck and scatter, and before we realized it, my daughter found my son on the floor unconscious. He had blood coming out of his face,” she told WESH 2 News.
The drone struck Alezander’s chest with such force that it damaged one of his heart valves, requiring hours of open-heart surgery the following day. “The blade cut his mouth, but there’s an actual imprint of the drone on his chest,” Edgerton said.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which regulates drone light shows, has launched an investigation into the incident. The Orlando Police Department is also assisting with the inquiry. According to the FAA, Sky Elements Drone Shows’ performance was permitted, and the agency had reviewed the event’s safety protocols, including drone software and fail-safe measures.
Sky Elements, touted as a leading provider of drone light shows in the US, issued a statement expressing regret. “We want to extend our sincere hope for a full and speedy recovery for those impacted at our Lake Eola show,” the company said. “The well-being of our audience is our utmost priority, and we regret any distress or inconvenience caused. We are diligently working with the FAA and City of Orlando officials to determine the cause and are committed to establishing a clear picture of what transpired. Millions of people see our shows annually, and we are committed to maintaining the highest safety regulations set forth by the FAA.”
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