Young boy ‘fighting for his life’ after being hit by Christmas light show drone
A young boy is in hospital fighting for his life after being hit by a drone used as part of a Christmas light show.
Alexander Edgerton, seven, was struck by one of many falling drones at Lake Eola Park show, held in Orlando, Florida in the US on Saturday evening.
‘Several small drones collided and fell into a crowd’ according to a release by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is investigating the incident.
A video captured the moment the lit-up drones began plunging to the ground and into a lake at around 6.30pm.
Adriana Edgerton, the injured boy’s mother, said her family was watching the show when Alexander was struck in the chest and the lip.
‘Everyone’s natural instinct was to duck and scatter, and right when we knew it, my daughter found my son on the floor unconscious, blood coming out of his face,’ Ms Edgerton told WESH 2.
‘I feel so bad, it’s three days before Christmas,’ she said, adding that Alexander has been in the hospital ever since he was hit.
Alexander was the only person injured at the show, According to he Orlando Fire Department.
On a GoFundMe set up by the family, it said the youngster will be spending Christmas in the hospital ICU.
Writing on Facebook, Ms Edgerton criticised Orlando city government and the company behind the light show, Sky Elements Drones.
‘City of Orlando Government and Sky Elements Drones really have some explaining to do. They will be held accountable for what was done to my son. I pray he makes it out of this!’ she wrote.
Sky Elements Drones released a statement Sunday saying they are working with the FAA and the city to ‘determine the cause and are committed to establishing a clear picture of what transpired.’
‘Sky Elements Drones wants to extend our sincere hope for a full and speedy recovery to those impacted at our Lake Eola show in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 21. The well-being of our audience is our utmost priority, and we regret any distress or inconvenience caused.’
It continued: ‘Millions of people see our shows annually, and we are committed to maintaining the highest safety regulations set forth by the FAA.’
The FAA explained that drone arrays and aerial light shows are subject to its regulations.
‘Typically, these events require a waiver to the regulation that prohibits operating more than one drone at a time. We thoroughly review each drone show application to make sure the flying public and people on the ground will be safe,’ the federal agency said.
Police were reportedly seen putting drones in evidence bags after the incident.
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