A devastating helicopter crash in New York City’s Hudson River on Thursday has claimed the lives of a Spanish couple, their three young children, and the pilot. Authorities confirmed that the victims included Agustín Escobar, CEO of German tech giant Siemens, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their children, all aged under 11. The family had boarded a tourist helicopter to celebrate Montal’s 40th birthday and a child’s birthday when the tragedy occurred.
The aircraft, a Bell 206, reportedly broke apart mid-air before plummeting into the river. Videos captured by witnesses showed debris falling as the helicopter lost its propeller and disintegrated in flight. Eyewitnesses described loud booms and a series of bangs before the aircraft crashed. Emergency responders recovered all six bodies from the river by Thursday evening, with four victims declared dead at the scene and two later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopter Tours, stated the pilot had radioed the company moments before the crash, saying he was returning for refueling and would arrive in three minutes. When there was no contact for over 20 minutes, concerns escalated. Roth called the crash a “tragedy” and confirmed that the helicopter wreckage had been removed from the river later that night.
The incident has triggered widespread mourning and international condolences. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called it an “unimaginable tragedy,” and former U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, calling the crash footage “horrendous” and offering prayers to the families. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy is overseeing the investigation into the cause of the crash.
Safety concerns surrounding helicopter tourism in New York City have resurfaced following the crash. While offering iconic views of the city, such tours operate in heavily trafficked airspace, raising questions about aircraft maintenance and regulatory oversight. New York Helicopter Tours has previously faced scrutiny for past incidents, and the latest tragedy is expected to prompt further investigations into industry-wide safety protocols.
As investigators work to determine the cause of the mid-air failure, families of the victims are left to grieve an irreplaceable loss. Authorities will examine flight data, mechanical records, and communication logs as part of the probe, while the global community continues to pay tribute to the lives cut short in this heartbreaking disaster.
