Local News
7-year-old boy undergoing emergency heart surgery after being injured by falling drones during a Christmas holiday show in Orlando
Orlando, FL – A festive Christmas drone show in Orlando turned into a chaotic scene Saturday evening when drones collided mid-air and plummeted into the crowd below at high speed, resulting in several reported injuries, including a young boy who is now in critical condition.
The incident occurred during the 6:30 p.m. performance at Lake Eola Park, where hundreds of drones from Sky Elements Drones, in partnership with the City of Orlando, were orchestrating an elaborate display of red and green lights.
The drones were programmed to form intricate holiday-themed patterns, enchanting the audience before the mishap.
Eyewitness videos captured the moment of the collision, as gasps of surprise and cries from frightened children echoed throughout the crowd.
In one video, a young child’s voice can be heard asking, “What’s happening?” as the malfunctioning drones plummeted toward the ground.
The Orlando Fire Department reported that one person sustained minor injuries during the incident.
However, two mothers, Jessica Lumedge and Adriana Edgerton, claimed that their young son was struck in the face by a falling drone and is now “fighting for his life” in the emergency room.
The boy’s mothers shared emotional updates on social media, accompanied by photos of their son in a hospital bed with visible injuries. Jessica Lumedge wrote, “Pray for my son, we went to the drone show at Lake Eola, and one of the drones hit him in the face. I’ve never been so scared.”
Adriana Edgerton echoed the sentiment, adding, “My baby is going into emergency heart surgery after just trying to watch a drone show. I am beyond words, beyond terrified. [The City of Orlando] and Sky Elements Drones really have some explaining to do. They will be held accountable for what was done to my son. I pray he makes it out of this!”
Despite the accident, the show continued for the remainder of the 6:30 p.m. performance. However, the subsequent 8 p.m. show was canceled, the City of Orlando announced on X (formerly Twitter).
Andrea Otero, the city’s public information manager, told People magazine, “We are in contact with the vendor to determine what occurred with the operation. The FAA is handling the investigation.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is now working with local officials and the drone operator, Sky Elements Drones, to uncover the cause of the mid-air collision.
This incident has raised concerns over safety protocols for public drone displays and left the Orlando community shaken. The thoughts of many remain with the injured boy and his family as they await updates on his condition.
Local News
Authorities Identify Three Missing Girls in Missouri River Near Dodge Park
A 13-year-old girl was the only one who managed to get out of the water.
Authorities in Omaha have confirmed that search and recovery efforts are ongoing for three girls who went missing in the Missouri River near NP Dodge Park on Tuesday evening, April 15, 2025.
According to officials, four girls had gone fishing and entered the water near a boat dock in the area around 6:00 p.m. Witnesses reported that the girls began to struggle as they floated down the river.
A 13-year-old girl was the only one who managed to get out of the water.
She was later found on the riverbank, visibly distressed and crying.
Omaha Fire Battalion Chief Coby Werner stated that the girl, who was transported to a local hospital for evaluation, informed emergency responders that she was related to the three others who were still missing.
The missing individuals have been identified as 18-year-old Laiana Green, 18-year-old Lah K. Tray Moo, and 11-year-old Eh Cress Moo.
Authorities have not released information suggesting that any of the girls were wearing life jackets at the time of the incident.
What began as a rescue operation on Tuesday evening has now transitioned into a recovery mission, as confirmed by Omaha Fire and Rescue on Wednesday morning.
The water temperature in the Missouri River, currently around 45 degrees Fahrenheit, poses a serious risk by potentially delaying the resurfacing of individuals, officials noted.
Search crews were forced to suspend operations around sunset on Tuesday due to low visibility and safety concerns.
The recovery effort resumed early Wednesday morning with a more coordinated strategy—agencies were assigned designated areas along the river to search individually to maximize coverage.
Despite some promising signals throughout the day, those sightings were ultimately determined to be debris.
Emergency services have expanded their search zone and plan to continue efforts into the weekend, moving further downstream. Specialized equipment, including sonar technology, drones, and aerial surveillance from a police helicopter, is being utilized to aid in locating the missing girls.
As of Wednesday evening, eight boats and four responding agencies were actively involved in the search, including Omaha Fire Department, Bennington Fire Department, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
“The Missouri River is extremely hazardous, especially at night,” said Battalion Chief Werner. “There’s a strong current, submerged debris, and poor visibility. Earlier today, we saw a large tree float past, which shows how dangerous this environment is for our crews.”
Authorities are requesting the public to avoid the river while recovery operations continue and urge community members to keep the families of the missing girls in their thoughts.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy,” said a spokesperson for Omaha Fire. “But we remain committed to bringing closure to these families. Our teams will be out here at first light every day until this mission is complete.”