A New Year's Eve drone show scheduled for Manhattan's Central Park has been canceled after a Florida boy was seriously injured when he was gored by one of the flying devices during the Christmas spectacle.
Less than a week before their annual midnight running event, the New York Road Runners canceled a fleet of 500 drones due to a loss of control at the organizers' discretion.
“As always, we are committed to providing runners with a memorable moment as the bell rings in 2025 at the festive NYRR Midnight Run in Central Park on New Year's Eve.” Crystal Howard said in a statement.
“Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, we will no longer be holding the drone show we had planned during the race.”
Organizers have not said why the drone show was canceled, but a holiday show in Orlando on Saturday went awry after a drone struck a 7-year-old boy named Alexander in the face and chest. As a result, similar events across the United States have been canceled. .
The boy underwent several hours of open-heart surgery after his drone crashed in the air and was dive-bombed by a crowd, with one of the flying devices hitting his body and electrocuting his heart. Her upper lip was cut off, and so was her mother. said Wesch.
Sky Elements Drones, the Texas-based company that organized the drone show, is currently under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and was reportedly scheduled to be in charge of the Central Park event.
Organizers opted for the drone show after months of severe drought in the tri-state region forced local officials to suspend fireworks displays, but restrictions have since been lifted.
The decision to cancel fireworks and use drones also came after mysterious drone sightings in New Jersey and New York caused national panic. The FAA then temporarily banned drone use in parts of the Big Apple and Garden State until mid-January.
Despite the sudden change, attendees will encounter surprises and “fun activities” along the 72nd Street crossing just south of Bethesda Fountain, Howard added.
