A festive drone display in Orlando, Florida, turned into a nightmarish scene on Saturday evening when multiple drones collided mid-air, plummeting into the crowd below. The incident occurred during a holiday light show over Lake Eola, leaving several people injured, including a 7-year-old boy who is now fighting for his life.
The boy, struck in the face by one of the rogue drones, was rushed to the emergency room, where he remains in critical condition. His family shared the harrowing update with the New York Post, stating, “He’s clinging to life in the ER.”
Dramatic footage captures the drone accident
A video shared online by X user MosquitoCoFl captured the tragic moment as hundreds of drones lit up the sky before some began colliding and spiralling out of control. “Oh no! I don’t believe they’re supposed to be falling,” a man is heard saying in the background. Meanwhile, panicked geese in the lake below flapped their wings, attempting to avoid the falling debris.
Investigation launched by FAA
The show, organized by Sky Elements Drones in partnership with the City of Orlando, has come under scrutiny. Andrea Otero, the city’s public information manager, told People magazine, “We are in contact with the vendor to determine what occurred. The FAA is handling the investigation.” According to Fox News, the Federal Aviation Administration had permitted the event, which adhered to regulations requiring special waivers for operating multiple drones simultaneously. Following the accident, a second scheduled show was canceled due to “technical difficulties.”
Public reaction and safety concerns
The disaster has raised questions about the safety protocols surrounding drone displays, which have gained popularity as an alternative to traditional fireworks. The FAA noted that drone arrays and light shows are tightly regulated, but the incident underscores potential risks when technical failures occur in crowded settings. Authorities and event organizers continue to investigate the mishap, aiming to determine the cause of the mid-air collisions that turned a festive night into a scene of chaos.