The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after several drones fell from the sky Saturday evening during a drone show at Lake Eola.
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The FAA said several small drones collided and entered a crowd around 6:45 p.m
Cell phone video obtained by Eyewitness News shows several drones falling from the sky. The video shows the iconic swans at Lake Eola flying away.
The Orlando Fire Department confirmed one person was injured during the event.
Read: Drones crash during Downtown Orlando Holiday Show, FAA investigation underway
Adriana Edgerton told Eyewitness News that her 7-year-old son was hit in the chest by one of the drones. She said the drone’s propellers also cut his face.
The FAA said it regulates drone shows.
If more than one drone is used at the same time, the operator must apply for an exemption.
Each application is thoroughly reviewed, the agency said.
The FAA said it is looking at the software that controls the drones, the procedures in case a single or multiple drones fail, if an aircraft gets too close to the show, how the operator keeps the drones within a restricted area using GeoFencing , or the operator has a sufficient number of people to run the show, and if the operator sets up a safe and confined space to keep people at a safe distance from the show.
Channel 9’s Geovany Dias will report his interview with the child’s mother live on Channel 9 Eyewitness News at noon.
The City of Orlando released the following statement:
Our thoughts are with the family and everyone affected by the outcome of this event. The city remains in contact with the seller and the FAA, who will conduct a thorough investigation.
This is all the information we can share at this time:
A Holiday Drone Show was held last night at Lake Eola Park in Orlando. The 6:30 PM Drone Show experienced technical problems, so the immediate decision was made to cancel the 8:00 PM show.
At approximately 6:48 p.m., OFD was alerted to an individual reportedly injured during the show. Fire crews were already in the park, manning an emergency tent located about 50 feet from the incident site. Paramedics began rendering aid once they made contact with the person.
The Holiday Drone Show was a permitted event through the FAA. It was in its third year and attracted approximately 25,000 people. This is the second year that the supplier Sky Elements controls the drones.
OPD detectives contacted the individual’s family last night at the hospital and will continue to assist the FAA in obtaining evidence for the investigation, which is being led by the FAA.
For further investigation into the investigation, please contact the FAA.
City of Orlando
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