A festive drone show at Orlando's Lake Eola Park took a distressing turn when multiple drones unexpectedly fell from the sky, injuring a 7-year-old boy. The incident occurred during the first of two scheduled performances, with drones forming Christmas-themed shapes before malfunctioning and crashing to the ground.
Witnesses captured the chaotic scene as drones collided and plummeted into the lake and surrounding area, causing panic among spectators. The young boy was struck by one of the falling drones, resulting in serious injuries that required open-heart surgery. His mother described the harrowing moment when she found him unconscious with blood on his face, revealing that the impact had damaged his heart valve.
The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into the incident, which occurred around 6:45 p.m. local time on December 21st. Orlando city officials expressed their concern for the family affected and confirmed that paramedics were quick to provide assistance to the injured child.
The vendor responsible for the drone show, Sky Elements, issued a statement expressing regret for the incident and emphasizing their commitment to safety. They assured that they are cooperating with authorities to determine the cause of the malfunction and prevent future accidents.
This unfortunate event serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to strict safety regulations when operating drones in public spaces. As the investigation unfolds, efforts will be made to ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future to safeguard the well-being of spectators at similar events.
