Women Sue Groom: Drone Hit Wedding Guests in Face, Causing Injuries

Two women have sued a groom and the event company running his wedding reception after a drone the groom flew during the event allegedly hit them in the head and caused injuries.

Keena Ellis of Seabrook, New Hampshire, and Kelly Eaton of Peabody, Massachusetts, claim their physical and emotional injuries from the incident on Aug. 8 are permanent, The Associated Press reported. The women suffered concussions after the drone, which groom Barry Billcliff was flying to take pictures, hit them in the face while they were on the dance floor during the reception.

The lawsuit claims negligence and includes not only Billcliff, but also event company Searles Castle Event Management in the claim, according to the Boston Herald.

Eaton’s nose and orbital bone were fractured, and Ellis received a gash in her head that needed more than 20 stitches, the Herald reported.

Billcliff admitted to flying the drone earlier in the reception but said he wasn’t at the controls when the incident occurred, according to the Herald. He claims he was with his wife, listening to a song friends were performing in the newlyweds’ honor.

President of Searles Castle, Scott Robb II, said he didn’t give Billcliff permission to fly the drone during the reception and had asked him to ground it when he saw it flying. Robb called the paramedics when he saw the women bleeding on the dance floor, the Herald reported.

The incident also caused the newlyweds to cancel their honeymoon to Dubai, according to the Herald.

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