Orlando, Fla. — A holiday drone show at Lake Eola turned tragic Saturday night when several drones fell from the sky, injuring 7-year-old Alezander Edgerton. The incident took place during what was meant to be a stunning aerial display, culminating in open-heart surgery for the child just before Christmas.
A video shared on social media captured the moment hundreds of drones were performing their synchronized routines when multiple units began falling, with one hitting Alezander directly. Eyewitness accounts reveal chaos erupted as families watched the dazzling light show, only to see their festive experience deteriorate as onlookers instinctively ducked and scattered.
“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,” said Adriana Edgerton, the boy's mother, recounting the horror of the evening to WESH. Alezander had been struck on the chest and mouth, resulting in emergency surgery and intensive care.
The accident occurred around 6:45 PM, right during the holiday performance organized by Sky Elements Drones, the same company known for delivering stunning shows at large events, including being America’s Got Talent finalists. Following the incident, Sky Elements expressed their heartfelt wishes for Alezander’s recovery, stating, “Sky Elements Drones wants to extend our sincere hope for a full and speedy recovery to those impacted at our Lake Eola show.”
City officials confirmed the holiday show was permitted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and noted they were gathering information as part of what appears to be impending investigations from multiple agencies, including the National Transportation Safety Board. “Several small drones collided and fell to the ground...the incident involved hundreds of drones flying as part of the entertainment,” the FAA reported.
Heavy scrutiny surrounds the use of drones for entertainment purposes, especially after this alarming incident. Onlookers gathered at Lake Eola reported seeing the chaos from the ground level, where Alezander was struck before the number of drone collisions drew gasps from the audience. Videos of the drones crashing onto the water and the surrounding area displayed not only the event's beauty but also its unpredictability.
After the accident, Universal Studios Orlando temporarily paused their drone component of Cinesational: A Symphonic Spectacular, expressing concerns for safety amid the chaos at Lake Eola. A spokesperson for Universal remarked, “We have currently paused the drone component...Guests can still enjoy the show nightly at Universal Studios Florida.” Sky Elements had also planned drone displays for the Orlando World Center Marriott during the holiday season prior to canceling those shows out of caution.
Adriana Edgerton’s call for enhanced safety measures is shared by many who witnessed the event. She urged operators of such elaborate displays to reconsider their safety practices. “If you’re going to be doing elaborate shows like this — you guys had about 500 drones and one of those 500 got away and it messed up someone’s life,” she expressed, highlighting not just her son's suffering but the issue of public safety with drone shows.
The family’s future is now uncertain as they prepare for Christmas not at home but at Orlando’s hospital, vigilantly hoping for Alezander’s recovery. Awaiting healing during what should be the merriest time of the year adds to the heartbreak. Adriana openly shared her fright during the incident, saying, “I was freaking out... I don’t even know if he’s going to be able to withstand this.”
On its website, Sky Elements Drones states their commitment to safety, asserting they are “borderline obsessed” with protective measures during shows. The company emphasizes their rigorous safety protocols, which ideally should leave little room for mistakes, particularly when operating massive drone arrays. Nevertheless, this accident has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of those measures and the operational conduct of aerial shows.
Regulatory bodies like the FAA are taking the situation seriously, reportedly investigating how the drones fell and what led to the collision incident. Drone safety regulations include stipulations requiring operators to maintain strict control of multiple drones, ensuring they remain within defined parameters to prevent malfunctions and accidents during live shows.
While many await the outcome of investigations and the safety measures to be enforced moving forward, the incident also draws the attention of lawmakers and community safety advocates calling for more stringent regulations governing aerial displays, especially those involving large crowds.
For Alezander Edgerton’s family, the holiday spirit remains muted as they grapple with the aftermath of the incident—a young boy at the center of public discourse, fighting through conditions considered both dangerous and potentially life-altering.
The City of Orlando canceled the second show scheduled for later Saturday night due to ‘technical difficulties’ following the accident, indicating the government’s acute responsiveness to safety on display. Families who gathered to enjoy the spectacles were left shaken, forced to reassess their perspectives on safety when entertainment involves the skies above them.
It is uncertain how the community will approach these drone exhibitions moving forward, but all involved recognize the importance of safety first and how something as joyous as holiday celebrations can turn devastatingly serious in mere moments.
