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

'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.'

Read more of this story at Slashdot.