A sightseeing helicopter carrying a prominent Spanish family plunged into the Hudson River on Thursday afternoon, killing all six people aboard. Agustín Escobar, 49, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, who was celebrating her 40th birthday, and their three children aged 4, 8, and 11 died in the crash, alongside the 36-year-old pilot Seankese Johnson.
What began as a celebratory family holiday turned tragic as the Bell 206 helicopter, which had been following a popular tourist route over New York City’s landmarks, suddenly lost control near the New Jersey shoreline approximately 16 minutes after takeoff.
High-Profile Corporate Executives
Both parents were respected executives at the German multinational Siemens. Mr Escobar had recently taken up the post of CEO of rail infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, following a successful two-year stint as president and CEO of the company’s operations in Spain.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic helicopter crash in which Agustín Escobar and his family lost their lives. Our heartfelt condolences go out to all their loved ones,” a Siemens Mobility spokesperson said in a statement.
Mrs Camprubí Montal served as global commercialisation manager for Siemens Energy, where she had worked for over 16 years. On her LinkedIn profile, she described herself as someone who thrives “in collaborative environments where I can leverage my international perspective.”
Football Club Connection
The family had deep roots in Barcelona’s elite circles. Mrs Camprubí Montal came from an influential Catalan family known not only for their textile manufacturing business but also for their association with FC Barcelona, one of the world’s most prestigious football clubs.
Her great-grandfather, Agustí Montal Galobart, served as president of FC Barcelona in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Her grandfather, Agustí Montal Costa, also held the presidency during a tenure fondly remembered by fans for bringing Dutch legend Johann Cruyff to the club in 1973.
Last year, Mrs Camprubí Montal’s brother, Joan, had emerged as a contender for the presidency of FC Barcelona, though his candidacy had recently faded.
Eyewitnesses Describe Horror
The helicopter took off at 2:59 pm from Manhattan’s downtown heliport. After circling the Statue of Liberty, it flew north along the Hudson River, reaching the George Washington Bridge by 3:08 pm before turning south along the New Jersey shoreline.
Eyewitnesses described a horrifying scene as the aircraft appeared to suddenly stop midair before breaking apart. Sarah Jane Raymond Ryer, who witnessed the crash, told local media: “The helicopter was a little bit nose down, slightly, and I saw the propeller separating from the helicopter. It kept spinning in the air alone. Nothing was attached to it.”
A video obtained by news outlets showed the rotor blades detached from the helicopter flying through the air, with debris scattering across the river. Jersey City resident Ipsitaa Banigrhi described hearing “such a loud sound. It felt like thunder.”
Rapid Emergency Response
Emergency calls began flooding in at approximately 3:17 pm, prompting an immediate response from NYPD and New York City Fire Department teams. First responders raced to the scene, with swimmers entering the water shortly after the first calls.
Four victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while two children were rushed to Jersey City Medical Center, where they later succumbed to their injuries. Despite the swift response and immediate life-saving measures, all six occupants perished in the crash.
Investigation Underway
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the crash. The aircraft’s main fuselage was retrieved from the river on Thursday evening, with dive operations continuing to recover the main rotor, transmission, roof, and tail of the aircraft.
Preliminary reports suggest a catastrophic mechanical failure, with former combat pilot Brandt Anderson telling CNN: “There’s nothing that pilot could have done in that situation to recover the aircraft.”
The Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV helicopter was built in 2004 and held an airworthiness certificate valid through 2029. However, questions have emerged about the helicopter operator’s safety record.
Tour Company’s Previous Incidents
The helicopter was operated by New York Helicopter Charter Inc., a company that has been involved in at least two previous safety incidents investigated by federal aviation authorities.
In 2015, one of the company’s pilots was forced to land in New Jersey after hovering briefly at 20 feet. Inspectors found potential corrosion and component parts that may have been “considered unairworthy.” The same helicopter had previously crashed in Chile in 2010.
In 2013, another of the company’s pilots made an emergency water landing near Manhattan with four passengers after hearing a “bang” followed by an “Engine Out warning horn.”
Michael Roth, the company’s CEO, expressed devastation over the crash: “I’m a father, a grandfather, and my wife hasn’t stopped crying since this afternoon.” When questioned about the helicopter’s maintenance, he deferred to his director of maintenance.
Calls for Tighter Regulations
The tragic accident has renewed concerns about the safety of low-altitude helicopter flights in the New York City area. At least 32 people died in helicopter accidents in New York City from 1977 to 2019, including five passengers in a 2018 crash during a “doors-off” aerial tour.
New York City Councilwoman Amanda Farías, chair of the council’s Committee on Economic Development, called for “a serious reevaluation of current policies” and urged the city to “consider an immediate moratorium on non-essential helicopter flights from city-owned heliports while investigations are ongoing.”
The Eastern Region Helicopter Council, a trade group representing helicopter operators, acknowledged the tragedy but cautioned against hasty legislative action, stating that “before taking legislative action, we need to learn more from the investigation.”
Tributes Pour In
Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, expressed his condolences, calling the incident “an unimaginable tragedy.” The Spanish family lived in Barcelona, and regional leader Salvador Illa sent “all my affection” to their family and friends.
Emiliano García-Page, president of the Castilla-La Mancha region, of which Mr Escobar was a native, said he was “deeply upset” by the news of the deaths, noting that Mr Escobar had been named a “favourite son” of the region.
Juan Ignacio Díaz, a former colleague of Mr Escobar at Siemens, remembered him as “above all, a family man” and “a loving, fun father, a really great guy.”
US President Donald Trump also commented on the tragedy, writing on his Truth Social platform: “God bless the families and friends of the victims.”
As investigations continue, the focus remains on determining what caused the catastrophic failure that led to the loss of six lives over the Hudson River, turning what should have been a scenic birthday celebration into a heartbreaking tragedy that has resonated across two continents.