Fireworks show in Orlando, FL — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Image by: VIAVAL TOURS
At a holiday drone event in Florida on Saturday night, a number of small drones crashed before falling into a crowd, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. According to WKMG, a CBS station in Orlando, a 7-year-old boy was hurt.
Officials said paramedics on the scene provided help and the injured victim was transported to the hospital, but they did not name the person hurt during the performance at Orlando’s Lake Eola Park.
According to officials, the victim’s relatives later met with Orlando Police Department detectives at the hospital.
Adriana Edgerton told WKMG that one of the drones struck her son in the stomach. Doctors informed his mother that the drone had shocked the boy’s heart, necessitating immediate surgery, she told the broadcaster.
The FAA will work with local law enforcement to investigate the crash.
According to officials, the collision occurred at approximately 6:45 p.m. local time on Saturday. Orlando’s city canceled a second light show that was supposed to take place at 8 p.m. because of “technical difficulties.”
The FAA regulates drone arrays and light shows, and the agency claims to “thoroughly” examine every drone show application to guarantee the safety of those in the air and on the ground.
The software used to operate the drones, protocols for establishing safe and limited zones to keep spectators away from the drone display, protocols in the event that a drone or drones malfunction, and protocols in the event that an airplane approaches the show too closely are just a few of the areas that the FAA examines.
Authorities in Orlando estimate that about 25,000 people turn out to witness the drones. According to Orlando authorities, the holiday drone display was run by Sky Elements and was in its third year.
In a statement that WKMG was able to get, Sky Elements Drones stated that it was collaborating with the FAA and Orlando city officials to “determine the cause and are committed to establishing a clear picture of what transpired.”
We at Sky Elements Drones really hope that everyone affected by our Saturday, December 21 Lake Eola concert in Orlando recovers completely and quickly. Our audience’s welfare is our top priority, and we sincerely apologize for any difficulty or distress this may have caused,” stated Sky Elements Drones. “We are dedicated to creating a clear picture of what happened and are actively collaborating with the FAA and City of Orlando officials to identify the cause. Every year, millions of people attend our performances, and we are dedicated to upholding the strictest safety guidelines established by the FAA.”
The Florida drone incident follows a string of unexplained drone sightings over the eastern United States, including New Jersey.
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Chris began his writing as a hobby while attending Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. Today he and his wife live in the Orlando area with their three children and dog.
