A festive Christmas drone show in Orlando, Florida, took a horrifying turn on December 21 when drones collided mid-air, crashing into the crowd below. The incident, which occurred during a 6:30 PM performance at Lake Eola Park, left several injured, including a young boy now fighting for his life.
The Tragic Event Unfolds
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
- Mid-Air Collision: Hundreds of red and green drones illuminated the night skies in a spectacular holiday display organized by Sky Elements Drones in partnership with the City of Orlando. However, the show turned disastrous when a cluster of drones lost control, crashing to the ground at high speed.
- Shocking Video: A viral TikTok video captured the chaos as drones fell from the sky, leaving the audience gasping and children screaming. One child’s terrified voice can be heard asking, “What’s happening?”
Injuries and Aftermath
- Injuries Reported: The Orlando Fire Department reported one minor injury, but two mothers claim their sons were critically injured.
- A Young Victim: A boy named Alezander was struck in the chest by a drone and underwent emergency heart surgery. His mother, Jessica Lumedge, shared her anguish on Facebook, seeking prayers and justice for her son.
Reactions and Investigation
Due to technical difficulties the 8 p.m. Holiday Drone Show at Lake Eola has been canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience.
— City of Orlando (@citybeautiful) December 22, 2024
- Show Cancellation: While the 6:30 PM show continued despite the accident, the 8 PM performance was canceled. The City of Orlando apologized for the inconvenience via social media.
- Investigation Underway: Andrea Otero, a city representative, confirmed that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident to determine the cause.
Families Demand Accountability
Mothers Jessica Lumedge and Adriana Edgerton have taken to social media to demand answers and justice. Lumedge shared a GoFundMe page for Alezander, seeking support for medical expenses, while Edgerton expressed her terror over the incident, holding the organizers accountable.
Call for Justice
As investigations continue, the families of the injured are determined to ensure such incidents are never repeated. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety in public events.
