A festive holiday drone show in the skies over Orlando’s Lake Eola Park took a frightening turn Saturday night. As spectators were watching a beautiful drone formation of red and green lights, several of the drones fell from the sky, injuring a 7-year-old child.
The drone show event, presented by AdventHealth and the City of Orlando, was scheduled to feature two performances at 6:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., each showcasing a 15-minute display of synchronized drones creating holiday-themed designs in the night sky.
During the initial 6:30 p.m. show, attendees observed several drones malfunctioning and descending unexpectedly. One attendee, reported witnessing “a few dozen drones crash into each other during the start of the 15-minute show… before ‘falling out of the sky’ and crashing into the water and on land.”
A parent of the injured child told Orlando’s Fox 35 that the child initially was knocked out by a falling drone, and received a cut to his upper lip. The child was transported to the hospital from the scene by the Orlando Fire Department. A dozen or more drones can be seen falling from the sky in a video captured by @MosquitoCoFL Podcast.
“It was as fast as a bird dives into the water and gets a fish, ” Jessica Lumedge, a parent of the injured child, said in an interview with Orlando’s Fox 35. It was so fast I couldn’t even dodge him. It was so close, and I couldn’t even get him and move,” she said. She posted this photo of her son on Facebook:
The Orlando Fire Department confirmed that one individual was transported to the hospital with a minor injury, though specifics regarding the cause were not disclosed. When questioned about the possibility of drones causing the injury, the department referred inquiries to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
In response to the incident, the City of Orlando canceled the 8:00 p.m. performance, citing “technical difficulties.” City spokesperson Andrea Otero stated, “We are in contact with the vendor to determine what occurred with the operation. FAA is handling the investigation.”
The FAA has been notified and is expected to conduct a thorough investigation to ascertain the cause of the malfunctions. As of now, no further details have been released regarding the injured spectator or the specific technical issues that led to the drones’ failure.
The holiday drone show was part of Orlando’s “Downtown for the Holidays” series, offering free, family-friendly events throughout December. The drone performances were intended to provide a modern twist on traditional holiday light displays, utilizing advanced technology to create festive imagery above Lake Eola.
The drone show operator, Fort Worth based Sky Elements Drone Shows, nor the City of Orlando has yet commented on the incident.
Attendees who witnessed the malfunction expressed a mix of disappointment and concern. Many had gathered with family and friends, equipped with blankets and lawn chairs, anticipating a memorable holiday experience. The unexpected drone failures and subsequent cancellation of the second show left some questioning the safety protocols in place for such events.
The City of Orlando has not yet announced whether the drone show will be rescheduled or if additional safety measures will be implemented for future performances. Officials are likely awaiting the results of the FAA’s investigation before making any determinations.
This incident highlights the potential risks associated with large-scale drone performances, a relatively new addition to public entertainment. As the popularity of drone light shows increases, ensuring the reliability and safety of the technology becomes paramount to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
For now, attendees and residents are told to stay informed through official city channels for updates on the situation and any changes to the holiday event schedule.
