Additional Coverage:
- Florida boy has open heart surgery after being hit by drone at holiday show, parents say (foxnews.com)
During a holiday drone show in Orlando, Florida, several drones malfunctioned and crashed into the crowd. One of the drones struck a 7-year-old boy, Alexander, causing a chest injury that required open heart surgery.
The drones were part of a light show in Lake Eola Park when they began falling from the sky. Alexander’s parents described how one of the drones hit their son directly.
The city canceled the show after the incident. The drone vendor, Sky Elements Drones, expressed regret and is working with the FAA to determine the cause.
The FAA is investigating the malfunction. Drone shows require FAA waivers to operate multiple drones simultaneously.