Drones fall from sky during Florida Christmas show, injuries reported
Drones at a Christmas show in Florida collided in mid-air and were sent careening to the crowd below at high speed resulting in several reported injuries — including a young boy whose mothers say is clinging to life.
The Orlando Fire Department told News 6 that one person suffered a minor injury in the mishap, however, two mothers claim their son — who was apparently struck in the face by a rogue drone — was left “fighting for his life in the ER.”
Startling video shows the holiday display gone wrong play out, complete with shocked gasps from the audience and cries of frightened children.
The 6:30 p.m. show — run by Sky Elements Drones in partnership with the City of Orlando — saw the night skies over Lake Eola Park illuminated with hundreds of red and green drones, forming elaborate patterns in an elegantly choreographed display.
Suddenly, clusters of the unmanned aircraft started breaking ranks, zipping down to earth without warning, startling video captured by attendees shows.
In one video posted on TikTok shot from across the lake, a chorus of “whoa” goes up from the crowd, with a young child asking “What’s happening?” as the errant drones streak toward the ground.
News 6 said the show went on despite the accident, however the 8 p.m. show was canceled, the City of Orlando announced on X.
The city’s public information manager, Andrea Otero, told People magazine, “We are in contact with the vendor to determine what occurred with the operation. FAA is handling the investigation.”
Mothers Jessica Lumedge and Adriana Edgerton shared a picture on Facebook of their son in a hospital bed with a bloody upper lip.
“Pray for my son, we went to the Drone show at Lake Eola and one of the drones hit him in the face,” Lumedge wrote.
“I have never been so scared. I can’t believe a drone show at Lake Eola Park turned into this. I’m scared terrified for my baby,” Edgerton added.
In another post a short time later, Edgerton posted another photo of the child, writing, “My baby is going into emergency heart surgery off of just trying to watch a drone show … I am beyond words beyond terrified!” the anguished mother wrote.
“[The City of Orlando] and Sky Elements Drones really have some explaining to do. They will be held accountable for what was done to my son. I pray he makes it out of this!”
