A holiday drone show in Orlando, Florida, took a terrifying turn on Saturday night when multiple drones malfunctioned and fell from the sky, injuring a 7-year-old boy who subsequently required open-heart surgery. The incident, which occurred at Lake Eola Park, is currently under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Videos circulating online depict hundreds of drones, illuminated in red and green, maneuvering into formation before several abruptly plummeted to the ground. According to the boy's parents, Adriana Edgerton and Jessica Lumsden, one of the falling drones struck their son, Alexander, rendering him unconscious and causing a chest injury. Lumsden recounted the event to Fox Orlando, stating, "Before they went down, the green one went straight at us. I went to the left. My son went to the right, and it hit my son."

Following the incident, the city of Orlando cancelled the remainder of the show, issuing an apology on social media for the technical difficulties. The drone show vendor, Sky Elements Drones, expressed their concern for those affected and pledged to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigations to ascertain the cause of the malfunction. They emphasized their commitment to upholding the highest safety standards established by the FAA.

The FAA's investigation will likely focus on the regulations surrounding drone light shows, which often require waivers for operating multiple drones simultaneously. Such displays are becoming increasingly popular but raise safety concerns, particularly in crowded public spaces.