Lawsuit says women suffered injuries when they were hit by drone

Two women are suing a groom and an event company after they said they were each struck in the head with a drone during a wedding over the summer. According to a lawsuit filed in Rockingham County Superior Court, Kneena Ellis, of Seabrook, and Kelly Eaton, of Peabody, Massachusetts, said they were hit by a drone being controlled by Barry Billcliff, of Sandown, during Billcliff's wedding reception. The reception was held Aug. 8 at Searles Castle in Windham. According to the lawsuit, Ellis and Eaton were dancing inside a tent on the property when Billcliff flew a drone he was using to take pictures into the tent. Eaton claims in the lawsuit that she suffered a fractured orbital bone and nose, and that she also suffered a concussion. Ellis suffered a laceration that took more than 20 stitches to close and a concussion, according to the lawsuit. The women are suing Billcliff and Searles Castle Event Management, claiming that the facility gave Billcliff permission to fly the drone. They are seeking unspecified damages and attorney's fees. Billcliff and Searles Castle have not been reached for comment.

Two women are suing a groom and an event company after they said they were each struck in the head with a drone during a wedding over the summer.

According to a lawsuit filed in Rockingham County Superior Court, Kneena Ellis, of Seabrook, and Kelly Eaton, of Peabody, Massachusetts, said they were hit by a drone being controlled by Barry Billcliff, of Sandown, during Billcliff's wedding reception.


The reception was held Aug. 8 at Searles Castle in Windham. According to the lawsuit, Ellis and Eaton were dancing inside a tent on the property when Billcliff flew a drone he was using to take pictures into the tent.

Eaton claims in the lawsuit that she suffered a fractured orbital bone and nose, and that she also suffered a concussion. Ellis suffered a laceration that took more than 20 stitches to close and a concussion, according to the lawsuit.

The women are suing Billcliff and Searles Castle Event Management, claiming that the facility gave Billcliff permission to fly the drone. They are seeking unspecified damages and attorney's fees.

Billcliff and Searles Castle have not been reached for comment.