Boy undergoes heart surgery after drones crash in Florida holiday show, parents say

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Drones crash at holiday show in Orlando: 7-year-old undergoes surgery

A 7-year-old boy underwent open heart surgery after drones crashed during a holiday light drone show at Lake Eola Park in Orlando, Florida.

ORLANDO, Fla. – One person was taken to an area hospital for an injury after red and green-lit drones collided and crashed into a crowd at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando during a holiday drone show Saturday, authorities said.

FOX 35 News spoke with the family of Alezander, a 7-year-old boy who was injured in the incident.

His parents, Adriana Edgerton and Jessica Lumsden, said one of the drones knocked him out on impact, causing a chest injury.

Alezander, 7, underwent open heart surgery after suffering an injury during the City of Orlando’s holiday drone show at Lake Eola Park on Saturday, his parents told FOX 35 News. (Credit: Adriana Edgerton)

Alezander underwent open heart surgery the following day, according to his family.

Lumsden told FOX 35 News on Tuesday that their son is stable after the surgery. Alezander “is still being monitored, but he has not given up and is so determined to walk again,” she said in a statement. They will spend the Christmas holidays in the intensive care unit (ICU).

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A video shared with FOX 35 News captured drones crashing into the lake and hovering close to spectators. Soon after, Orlando City canceled the second show, citing technical difficulties in one opinion on X.

A spokesman for the city of Orlando confirmed that the FAA is leading the investigation. “We are in contact with the seller to establish what has happened,” the spokesman said.

Drones crash at Orlando Christmas show: FAA opens investigation

The city of Orlando canceled tonight’s second show, citing ‘technical difficulties’.

During a synchronized drone show, the drones are typically connected by GPS. Experts suggested various possible reasons for the failure.

Drone expert, Dr. Vivek Sharma of the Florida Institute of Technology, speculated that the error could stem from GPS interference, programming errors or drone collisions.

It is not yet clear what led to the drone’s malfunction.

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The source: Information for this article came from the Federal Aviation Administration, the City of Orlando, the Orlando Fire Department and details provided by Adriana Edgerton and Jessica Lumsden, whose son was injured during the drone show.

Orlando Florida News