Several drones collided and fell into a crowd observing a holiday drone show in Orlando over the weekend, according to the Federal Aviation Alliance. A seven-year-old boy was seriously injured.
The FAA is investigating the incident which occurred on Saturday, according to a statement.
In a statement obtained by Click Orlando, the city of Orlando said an individual was injured during the show. “Our thoughts are with the family and all those impacted by the outcome of this event,” the statement reads.
In a video posted on X from the event, several festive, red and green drones can be seen flying downwards and crashing into the ground. In the video, one observer says: “Oh no, I don’t think they’re supposed to be falling.”
According to WESH 2 News, the victim was identified by his parents as their seven-year-old son, Alexander.
The boy’s mother, Adriana Edgerton, told WESH 2 News that her son was hit in the chest by a falling drone, damaging one of his heart valves, and that he began open-heart surgery on Sunday.
“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,” Edgerton told WESH 2 News.
Edgerton added: “This should not have happened.”
“No family should be going through this,” Edgerton told WESH 2 News. “We were trying to watch a show and have a good time.”
In a post on Facebook, Edgerton said both Orlando and Sky Elements Drones “really have some explaining to do”.
“They will be held accountable for what was done to my son,” Edgerton wrote on Facebook. “I pray he makes it out of this!”
The statement from city officials obtained by Click Orlando identifies the vendor used for the drone show as Sky Elements Drones, a vendor they contracted with for last year’s performance.
The FAA granted a permit for this year’s drone show, according to the statement from Orlando officials obtained by Click Orlando.
Sky Elements Drones said in a statement to Click Orlando: “The well-being of our audience is our utmost priority, and we regret any distress or inconvenience caused.”
“Sky Elements Drones wants to extend our sincere hope for a full and speedy recovery to those impacted at our Lake Eola show in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 21,” the statement from Sky Elements Drones said.
According to the FAA, drone arrays and light shows are subject to FAA regulation.
“Typically, these events require a waiver to the regulation that prohibits operating more than one drone at a time,” the FAA said. “We thoroughly review each drone-show application to make sure the flying public and people on the ground will be safe.”
Orlando officials and Sky Element Drones did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
