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Transportation United States

Drones Collide, Fall From Sky in Florida Light Show, Seriously Injuring 7-Year-Old Boy (yahoo.com) 23

"Drones collided, fell from the sky and hit a little boy after 'technical difficulties' during a holiday show..." reports the Orlando Sentinel.

They note that a press release from the city said the 8 p.m. show was then cancelled: The company behind the drones, Sky Elements, was in its second year of the contract with the city, the release said. Sky Elements said they operate drone shows throughout the country with millions of viewers annually and are committed to maintaining FAA safety regulations, the company said in a statement released Sunday afternoon. The organization wished for a "speedy recovery" of those impacted by Saturday's show at Lake Eola, the statement said. "The well-being of our audience is our utmost priority, and we regret any distress or inconvenience caused," the statement said. "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."

The show is in its third year, often drawing crowds of roughly 25,000, according to the city. But there has never been an incident before. The Federal Aviation Administration regulates drones and light shows and permitted the Holiday Drone Show at Lake Eola on Saturday. Now they are investigating the incident which they said began as drones collided and fell into the crowd at the park, spokesperson Kristen Alsop said in an email... Eyewitness videos on social media show multiple green and red drones falling from the sky.

The mother of the 7-year-old boy hit by a falling drone told a local TV station that the holiday show "ended in nightmares," adding that it happened just days before Christmas. She believes big-audience drone light shows need more safety precautions. "This should not happen. No family should be going through this." She added on Facebook that her 7-year-old son is now "going into emergency heart surgery off of just trying to watch a drone show."

She adds that the city of Orlando and the drone company behind the light show "really have some explaining to do." Responding to comments on Facebook, she posted two hours ago: "Thank you everyone. He is still in surgery."

Drones Collide, Fall From Sky in Florida Light Show, Seriously Injuring 7-Year-Old Boy

Comments Filter:
  • Still saver then aviation. Just saw a medivac helicopter in Turkey crashed recently. But there's no concerted effort to get them banned.
    • The medivac helicopter serves a useful purpose. It is doubtful that the drone show was really necessary. There is a difference between risks that provide a real reward and risks without return.
      • In my day we used to just use fireworks for the night shows. I think kids are still impressed today by them...
        • by kqs ( 1038910 )

          And fireworks also cause injuries and death. Because shells filled with explosive gunpowder are expected to be safe...

          Fireworks are safer than drones for now, but that is just because they are a more mature tech. But this will be handled just like the occasional (and tragic) fireworks injury is handled.

      • by mysidia ( 191772 )

        The light show serves a useful purpose: the reward in theory is economic for the city and value for residents which encourages people to keep living in the area or visit there.. which is the only way it makes sense for them to be using their municipal taxes paid by residents to fund the show. Localities put effort into creating attractions which ultimately serve to bolster the local economy.

        There also should in theory be no reason they can't operate a drone light show safety. They can start by observi

  • and Sky Elements can just go away with the victims left holding the bag for the doctor bills

    • by mysidia ( 191772 )

      Why do you say that? They can obviously be sued for personal injury damages caused by the company's operation or their drones. Which should include not only the doctors bills but all the other damages related to pain and suffering as well as mental anguish, etc.

  • Sky Elements said they operate drone shows throughout the country with millions of viewers annually and are committed to maintaining FAA safety regulations, the company said in a statement released Sunday afternoon.

    Tell me again why we need to subsidize the FAA? If capitalism is better than socialism, then why did this happen?

    I look forward to our President-elect privatizing airline security. Also our roads and bridges.

    • The FAA is mostly concerned with airplanes/helicopters/etc. Their regulations are chiefly aimed at preventing drone operators from providing airborne hazards to manned aircraft.

      You can still comply with FAA regs and screw up something in your drone swarm, resulting in an injury on the ground.

    • I look forward to our President-elect privatizing airline security.

      Nice troll.

      Regarding the drone operators, future President Musk can't extort money from them, so they will be banned. Also, Christmas festivals.

  • It has several added advantages to fireworks, increasing knowledge of many disciplines including aerospace, communications, and complex programming. I could also see potential as a military weapon(s), but I don't want to go there right now.
  • by Baron_Yam ( 643147 ) on Sunday December 22, 2024 @10:37PM (#65033707)

    Just like you fence off a large fireworks pit, you shouldn't have crowds collecting anywhere your drone show might have a drone crash.

  • Wait wait wait... Let me get this straight, because I know how we do things up here in WA, but no idea what the fuck they do down in FL.

    You have a lake. YOU HAVE A LAKE.

    You literally have a protected area which prevents people from walking (unless they're Jesus or some shit?)

    And you DIDN'T use this for the show!?

    Up here, we do barge based fireworks and light shows, or have protected areas (ex: one sports stadium has a light show where the drones are actually over the other stadium for both a staging area an

  • Were these drones flying over people? My drone license is very clear about that, you don't intentionally fly above people.

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