A holiday event at Lake Eola in
Orlando took a shocking turn when drones used in a light show malfunctioned and
crashed into the crowd, seriously injuring a 7-year-old boy. The Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently looking into what happened.
The Incident
Adriana Edgerton, the boy’s
mother, described the frightening moment when several drones collided in the
air and fell down. In the commotion, her son was hit in the chest and lost
consciousness, leaving him bleeding on the ground.
“Everyone’s first instinct was to duck and run,” she shared with a local news station, WESH. “Before we knew it, my daughter found my son lying on the floor, unconscious.”
After the incident, the boy had
to undergo emergency heart surgery. There hasn’t been any new update on how he
is doing.
Drone Malfunction
Witnesses called the scene
chaotic, with many drones crashing into the lake nearby and in the surrounding
area. Even the swans at Lake Eola took off in distress from the falling drones.
The FAA, which oversees drone
light shows, noted that these events need special permits to ensure the safety
of spectators and operators. Sky Elements, the Texas company responsible for
the show, expressed their concern and hope for the boy’s recovery in a public
statement:
“Sky Elements Drones sends our
heartfelt wishes for a full and speedy recovery for everyone affected at our
Lake Eola show.”
Public Outcry
Adriana Edgerton has spoken out,
demanding accountability from both the City of Orlando and Sky Elements. She
expressed her frustration on Facebook, saying:
“They need to be held responsible
for what happened to my son. I hope he makes it through this!”
The city has promised to
cooperate with the FAA and local officials to find out what caused the drones
to crash. Orlando police are also in touch with the family.
A Call for Stricter Safety Standards
This incident has raised concerns
about the safety of drone light shows and whether there should be tougher rules
in place. While drone technology is exciting, it can be risky and needs to be
managed properly to keep the audience safe.
What’s Next?
As the investigation unfolds, several questions linger: What caused the drones to fail? Could this accident have been avoided? How will it affect future drone shows?
The boy’s family and the
community are waiting for answers and hoping for his recovery.
Do you think there should be stricter safety measures for drone shows? Feel free to share your thoughts!
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