A 7-year-old boy is recovering in the hospital after being struck by a falling drone during a Christmas-themed drone show at Lake Eola Park in Orlando, Florida.

Accident Shocks Audience

The incident occurred Saturday night during a holiday drone display by Sky Elements Drones, in partnership with the City of Orlando.

So apparently they had to cancel the 2nd drone show at #LakeEolaPark tonight and I wonder if the drones that got knocked out during the 1st show was the cause 😬 #Orlando pic.twitter.com/xxySjbkohy
— MosquitoCoFL Podcast (@MosquitoCoFL) December 22, 2024

Hundreds of red and green drones were choreographed into festive formations when a mid-air collision caused several to crash into the crowd.

Panic Erupts: Video footage shared on TikTok shows drones streaking downward as spectators react with confusion and alarm.
Injuries Confirmed: The Orlando Fire Department confirmed one person was hospitalized.

Boy Suffers Severe Injuries

Two mothers of the injured boy, identified as Alezander, shared updates on social media, revealing he was struck in the chest and face by one of the falling drones.

Emergency Surgery: The boy, born prematurely, underwent emergency heart surgery Sunday after losing consciousness at the scene.
Parents Speak Out:
- “Pray for my son,” wrote Jessica Lumedge in a Facebook post, sharing a photo of Alezander with a bloody upper lip.
- Adriana Edgerton, the boy’s other mother, added, “I can’t believe a drone show turned into this. I am beyond words.”

Community Support

The family has launched a GoFundMe page to cover medical expenses and has raised over $3,700 as of this writing.

From the Campaign: “Our baby will be spending Christmas in the ICU. Any support would mean the world to us.”
Mother’s Testimony: Speaking to Channel 9 News, Edgerton described the horror of the moment: “It looked like a bird diving for fish. My baby was losing consciousness, and I was terrified I’d lose him.”

A GoFundMe has been launched to help support the family. Credit: GoFundMe

Investigation Underway

The City of Orlando canceled the evening’s second drone show and confirmed an investigation into the incident.

Official Statements:
- Andrea Otero, the city’s public information manager, stated, “We are working with the vendor and FAA to determine what occurred.”
- Sky Elements Drones expressed regret, emphasizing their commitment to safety: “We hope for a full and speedy recovery for those impacted.”

Safety Concerns Raised

Drone shows, hailed as safer alternatives to fireworks, are now under scrutiny as the incident highlights potential risks. The FAA and local officials are collaborating to uncover the cause of the mishap.