ORLANDO, FL – A holiday drone show at Lake Eola Park turned into a scene of horror on Saturday evening when technical failures led to drones plummeting from the sky, injuring multiple attendees, including a child who is now in critical condition.
The chaos unfolded during the 6:30 p.m. “Sky Elements Drones” performance in downtown Orlando. Spectators witnessed pandemonium as dozens of drones crashed into each other and fell onto the lake, the ground, and the crowd.
Event footage captured the terrifying moment when a drone hurtled toward the audience, with someone shouting, “Watch out, watch out!” Seconds later, screams erupted as drones collided. Social media videos show drones falling, with noticeable gaps in their formations due to malfunctions. The Orlando Fire Department confirmed one person was hospitalized with minor injuries. Meanwhile, two mothers, Jessica Lumedge and Adriana Edgerton, shared that their young son sustained life-threatening injuries.
“Pray for my son. We went to the drone show, and one of the drones hit him in the face,” Lumedge wrote on Facebook, posting an image of her son in the hospital with visible injuries. She later revealed that the child required emergency heart surgery due to the severity of his injuries.
Edgerton expressed her distress, stating, “I’m terrified for my baby. I can’t believe a holiday event turned into this nightmare.”
Despite the mayhem, the show continued as planned until its scheduled end, leaving many attendees in shock. The subsequent 8:00 p.m. performance was canceled.
In response, the City of Orlando and Sky Elements Drones issued apologies. The city commented, “We are in contact with the vendor to determine what occurred with the operation.” The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the malfunction. However, neither the Orlando Fire Department nor Sky Elements Drones have released further statements.
The incident has sparked public outrage, with calls for accountability directed at Sky Elements Drones and the City of Orlando. Concerned citizens have taken to social media to criticize the safety measures and demand stricter regulations for drone shows.
As the investigation continues, the families affected by this tragic event are left to cope with its aftermath, hoping for answers and justice. The City of Orlando and Sky Elements Drones face intense scrutiny as the community seeks to understand how such a catastrophic failure occurred during a festive event meant to bring joy and celebration. The safety and well-being of the injured attendees, especially the critically injured child, remain at the forefront of concerns as officials work to prevent future incidents.
