A 7-year-old boy was seriously injured at a holiday drone show in Orlando, Florida, when a drone struck him in the chest. The incident occurred during the city-hosted third annual Holiday Drone Show at Lake Eola Park, causing the show to be canceled. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the collision of several drones during the show. The boy received immediate medical assistance from fire personnel on-site, and no other injuries were reported.
Before hosting such events, the FAA examines the software, crowd flow maps, geofencing capabilities, and staffing to ensure the safety of spectators. The drone show, featuring synchronized drones creating holiday-themed designs in the night sky, was produced by Sky Elements Drones. The company expressed regret over the incident and is working with authorities to determine the cause.
The boy’s mother described the traumatic experience of seeing her son injured and undergoing heart surgery as a result of the drone collision. She emphasized that such incidents should not happen at public events, expressing disappointment and concern for the safety of attendees. The organizers of the event expressed their commitment to ensuring the well-being of the audience and apologized for any distress caused by the incident. The FAA and city officials are working to investigate the incident further and prevent similar accidents in the future.
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