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Six people, including a Spanish family of five and their pilot, were killed on April 10 when a sightseeing helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near Jersey City, New Jersey. The crash occurred shortly after takeoff from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport at 2:59 p.m., and the first emergency calls were received at 3:17 p.m.
The victims were identified as Agustín Escobar, chief executive of rail infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their three children aged 4, 5, and 11. The family had traveled from Barcelona, Spain, combining a business trip with a celebration for one of the children's birthdays. "They were celebrating the mom's 40th bday with the tourist helicopter flight," Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop stated.
According to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, "Our hearts go out to the family and all six who were on board the helicopter." He added that the middle child was set to turn eight the following day. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the news as "devastating" and extended his condolences.
Video footage and eyewitness accounts revealed that the Bell 206 helicopter began tumbling mid-air before crashing into the river near Pier A Park in Hoboken. "I saw, like, black particles flying," said witness Ipsitaa Banigrhi. Another eyewitness, Jenn Lynk, said, "I saw a few people running towards the water... then I started to hear all the sirens."
Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopters, which operated the flight, said he was "devastated." He told CNN, "I'm a father, a grandfather, and my wife hasn't stopped crying since this afternoon." The aircraft was leased from a Louisiana-based company and reportedly flew past the Statue of Liberty and George Washington Bridge before turning back along the New Jersey shoreline.
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed the chopper "lost control and hit the water just a few feet off the coast." The rotor reportedly detached before the aircraft nosedived. Rescuers responded quickly; however, four victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while two died later at the hospital.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Meanwhile, authorities are working to expedite the repatriation of the family's bodies to Spain. "We will miss him and his family immensely," said Siemens CEO Roland Busch.
