Tuesday, 24 December 2024

Young Child In Critical Condition After Sustaining Injuries From Falling Drone At Christmas Show


A seven-year-old child in Florida was seriously injured at a Christmas show in Florida after a falling drone struck him.

The young boy’s mother said one of the devices from the drone spectacle went down and struck him in the chest.

“A 7-year-old boy is in critical condition in the ICU after being struck by a drone during a Saturday night aerial holiday show at Lake Eola in Orlando. The incident happened around 6:45 p.m. as approximately 25,000 attendees enjoyed the family-friendly event, according to officials. Bystander video captured over 200 drones forming a red and green holiday display when several malfunctioned, colliding midair and falling to the ground and into the lake,” Rawsalerts wrote.

“The boy’s family reported that he was struck in the chest by one of the falling drones. The FAA, which authorized the event, is investigating. The show was produced by Sky Elements Drones, a company based in North Richland Hills, Texas, near Dallas,” the post added.

WATCH:

Per NBC News:

The Orlando Fire Department confirmed that one person was hospitalized following “technical difficulties” at the city-hosted third annual Holiday Drone Show at Lake Eola Park.

The Federal Aviation Administration, which is investigating, said in a statement Sunday that “several” small drones collided during the show at about 6:45 p.m., some falling into the crowd.

Fire personnel were staffing a customary medical tent nearby and rushed to the boy’s aid, the department said in a statement. No other injuries were reported.

Before the FAA allows such an event, it said, it looks at the software that will be used, proposed crowd flow maps to ensure people are at a safe distance from the devices, geofencing capabilities that should ensure drones stay within a certain area, and staffing.

“Due to technical difficulties the 8 p.m. Holiday Drone Show at Lake Eola has been canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience,” the City of Orlando stated.

WATCH:

From the New York Post:

The city’s public information manager, Andrea Otero, told People magazine, “We are in contact with the vendor to determine what occurred with the operation. FAA is handling the investigation.”

Mothers Jessica Lumedge and Adriana Edgerton shared a picture on Facebook of their son in a hospital bed with a bloody upper lip.

“Pray for my son, we went to the Drone show at Lake Eola and one of the drones hit him in the face,” Lumedge wrote.

“I have never been so scared. I can’t believe a drone show at Lake Eola Park turned into this. I’m scared terrified for my baby,” Edgerton added.

In another post a short time later, Edgerton posted another photo of the child, writing, “My baby is going into emergency heart surgery off of just trying to watch a drone show … I am beyond words beyond terrified!” the anguished mother wrote.


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