Orlando Drone Show Disrupted by Injury, Second Performance Canceled
Orlando, Florida – A festive drone show at Orlando’s Lake Eola Park turned tragic on Saturday, December 21, 2023, when an incident caused an injury, leading to the cancellation of a planned second performance. The event, intended to dazzle spectators with an aerial display, faced major setbacks, leaving many attendees shocked and concerned.
What Happened
According to city officials, the 6 PM performance encountered technical difficulties, which led to the postponement of the subsequent show scheduled for 8 PM. Andrea Otero, the Public Information Manager for the City of Orlando, confirmed that the Orlando Fire Department was already at the park, providing emergency services when they were alerted to an injured individual.
Fire personnel located an individual and promptly offered aid. Meanwhile, detectives from the Orlando Police Department reached out to the injured person’s family, ensuring they had support during this distressing time. Otero emphasized the city’s concern, stating, “Our thoughts are with the family and all those impacted by the outcome of this event.”
Drone Incident Details
Social media footage shared by attendees revealed the chaotic moment when drones fell during the performance. In one clip, someone can be heard yelling, “Watch out, watch out!” as spectators observed a disturbing scene of drones colliding and descending towards them. The aftermath showed areas in the sky where drones were missing, highlighting the unexpected nature of the event.
Mothers Jessica Lumedge and Adriana Edgerton later reported that their son suffered severe injuries during the show when a drone hit him in the face. In a heartfelt Facebook post, Lumedge pleaded for prayers for her son, who was admitted to the emergency room with visible injuries. Edgerton described the terrifying experience, stating, “I can’t believe a drone show at Lake Eola Park turned into this. I’m scared and terrified for my baby.”
The harrowing situation worsened when Lumedge revealed in a follow-up update that her son required emergency heart surgery due to the injuries sustained. She expressed a desire for the City of Orlando and Sky Elements Drones to be held accountable for the incident.
Response and Investigation
Following the incident, Sky Elements Drones released a statement expressing their hope for the injured individual’s recovery. They acknowledged the safety of their audience as a top priority and indicated their commitment to working closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and city officials to investigate what went wrong during the show. “We are diligently working with the FAA and City of Orlando officials to determine the cause and are committed to establishing a clear picture of what transpired,” they stated.
This unfortunate incident at the drone show raises critical questions about safety protocols related to public entertainment. With millions attending similar events each year, maintaining stringent safety measures is vital to prevent accidents like this from occurring in the future.
Conclusion
As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on supporting the family affected by this tragic event. Orlando’s community is rallying together, hoping for the swift recovery of the injured child and seeking answers to how such an incident could take place during a holiday celebration.
