A drone used by TNT for pregame coverage of the Boston Celtics’ NBA opener crashed during an opening watch party Tuesday night, injuring two people and one of them having to be hospitalized.
Police said the drone was flying between two trees when the operator accidentally crashed into a light pole around 7:30 p.m., according to local reports, causing it to land among the crowd where thousands had gathered to celebrate the return of the NBA.
The Federal Aviation Administration has since confirmed that they are investigating the incident. The drone was apparently operated by CNN, which is owned by the same Warner Bros. Discovery network as TNT.
TNT’s live opening night show aired at City Hall Plaza in Boston, with Ernie Johnson joined by Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley.
Yousef Kobeissi, who was hit by the drone, he told Boston 25 News: ‘I hear a loud sound, it sounds like a bang, suddenly I feel like something hits my head right here.
Thousands Attend TNT’s NBA Opening Night Show in Boston, Where Drone Crashed
Great excitement was experienced in the city when the Celtics, NBA champions, began the new season
“At first I was really scared because there was a loud sound and then I felt something sharp hit my head and then I heard the woman next to me scream and she looked like she was going to fall.”
Another injured person, Derek Scrima, has two fingers cut from the incident and told the news channel: “I was completely caught off guard.”
“It was terrifying because my mind was thinking, ‘They could have cut off two of my fingers.'”
TNT has acknowledged the accident, stating in a statement reported by Boston.com: ‘Unfortunately, there was an incident involving a drone and fans attending tonight’s event.
‘The medical and security staff at the site immediately attended to the situation. We are currently investigating further and wish everyone involved the best.’
The Celtics are the reigning NBA champions and fans who couldn’t get a ticket to Game 1 against the New York Knicks headed to City Hall Plaza.
Crowds had begun to gather around 4:30 p.m. that day, and many Celtics fans wanted to arrive early to watch on the big screens as their team raised the banner to commemorate the 18th title before the game began. of the Knicks.
Fans gathered in large numbers as TNT headed to Boston’s City Hall Plaza for opening night.
The event also featured musical performances by Shaboozey and Benson Boone before the television broadcast began.
As for the game itself, the Celtics achieved a resounding 132-109 victory over the Knicks.
The Celtics return to action Thursday night against the Washington Wizards.
