by Orlando, Florida — A downtown Orlando holiday drone show ended in disaster when multiple drones malfunctioned and crashed into the crowd, striking a 7-year-old boy in the chest and face and forcing him to undergo emergency heart surgery. His mother has now filed a lawsuit against the City of Orlando, the event’s drone operator, and other parties.
The incident happened on December 21, 2024, during a holiday event at Lake Eola Park, where 500 drones were programmed to light up the night sky in festive red and green patterns and form seasonal shapes.
Drones Go Out of Control
According to the lawsuit filed by Adriana Edgerton, she and her family were enjoying the show when “multiple drones malfunctioned,” breaking from their coordinated flight paths and breaching the geofenced safety perimeter.
One of the drones struck her son Alezander directly in the face and chest, causing severe injuries.
Edgerton later wrote on Facebook, “God please be with me! My baby is going into emergency heart surgery off of just trying to watch a drone show at Lake Eola Park! I am beyond words beyond terrified!”
She vowed that the City of Orlando and Sky Elements LLC — the company operating the drones — “will be held accountable” for what happened to her child.
Lawsuit Targets City and Drone Operator
According to lawandcrime, In court filings, Edgerton accuses the City of Orlando of failing to properly vet the vendors responsible for the show, ensure adherence to safety protocols, and verify that the companies involved had a proven track record of reliability. Her attorneys allege that city officials knew or should have known that operating hundreds of drones over a crowd was a “foreseeable and unreasonable risk of harm” to spectators.
The suit also claims the city ignored prior incidents of drone failures at past shows involving the same vendors and technology.
Claims of Negligence Against Sky Elements
Sky Elements LLC, a Texas-based drone entertainment company, is also named as a defendant. The lawsuit alleges the company failed to ensure the drones were safe before the show, did not adequately staff the event, and neglected to monitor for technical anomalies once the problems began.
The complaint further states that Sky Elements failed to train and supervise the solo pilot in charge of controlling all 500 drones during the event. Plaintiffs argue that the show should have been stopped immediately when drones began malfunctioning, but instead, it continued until one struck the child.
Injuries and Recovery
The impact left Alezander with traumatic and permanent injuries, according to the lawsuit. He underwent emergency heart surgery and spent about 10 days in the hospital. His mother says he will continue to face both physical and emotional challenges from the incident, along with long-term medical expenses.
While Sky Elements released a brief statement saying it could not comment due to the pending litigation, it did not dispute that an incident occurred.
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Safety Concerns Over Drone Shows
Drone light shows have become increasingly popular as alternatives to fireworks, offering elaborate aerial displays without the loud explosions. However, safety experts warn that malfunctions can pose serious risks when drones are flown over large crowds.
Events like the Lake Eola mishap have reignited discussions about whether stricter regulations or mandatory safety certifications should be required for companies offering large-scale drone performances. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) already has operational guidelines for drones, but enforcement often falls to local jurisdictions.
Legal Battle Ahead
Edgerton’s lawsuit seeks damages for negligence, pain and suffering, and medical costs, and it emphasizes that her son’s injuries could have been prevented with proper precautions. The case is expected to examine whether the city and Sky Elements followed industry-standard safety measures and whether those measures were sufficient for such a high-risk event.
The trial could also influence how future public drone shows are managed in Orlando and beyond.
Bottom Line
What was meant to be a joyful holiday celebration in Orlando has now turned into a high-profile legal case involving serious injury to a child. As the lawsuit moves forward, it raises questions about public safety, event oversight, and corporate responsibility in the growing drone entertainment industry.
What’s your opinion on whether drone shows are safe for public gatherings? Share your thoughts at ibwhsmag.com.
