A tragic helicopter crash in the Hudson River on Thursday resulted in the deaths of a family of five from Barcelona, Spain, and the pilot of the aircraft. The family had traveled to New York City to celebrate the birthday of their daughter when their sightseeing tour took a horrifying turn. Just minutes after takeoff, the helicopter crashed into the river, claiming the lives of all passengers aboard, including the pilot.
The victims of the crash were Agustín Escobar, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their three children: Agustín, 10; Mercè, 8, who would have turned 9 on that very day; and Víctor, 4. The family had boarded a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV helicopter, operated by New York Helicopter Tours, to enjoy an aerial view of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. However, approximately 16 minutes after taking off, the aircraft tragically went down into the Hudson River around 3:15 p.m.
According to New York City Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, the 36-year-old male pilot, who has not yet been publicly named, radioed in to report that the helicopter was low on fuel and was returning to base for a refueling attempt. Unfortunately, the helicopter never made it back to base. Witnesses nearby reported hearing a loud “boom,” followed by the sight of the helicopter’s rotor blades detaching before the aircraft flipped upside down and crashed into the river near Pier 40, creating a massive splash.
Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene and managed to pull three victims from the wreckage, though they were in traumatic arrest. Despite efforts to revive them, four of the victims were confirmed dead at the scene. The remaining two individuals, who had been critically injured, succumbed to their injuries shortly after being transported to a nearby hospital. The tragic loss of life, especially of the children, has left a profound impact on both the local community and the family’s homeland of Spain.
The pilot, a 36-year-old black male, also lost his life in the crash, though his identity has not yet been disclosed. His family members, along with those of the victims, are mourning the devastating events.
In their professional lives, Agustín Escobar held the position of Global CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, while his wife, Mercè Camprubí Montal, was a Global Commercialization Manager at Siemens Energy. Camprubí Montal was also the granddaughter of Agustí Montal Costa, a former president of the renowned Spanish football club FC Barcelona.
Photographs taken before the flight show the smiling family, their excitement palpable as they posed in front of the helicopter. These images, now circulating online, serve as a heartbreaking reminder of the joy that was tragically cut short that fateful day.
As investigations continue, questions regarding the cause of the crash, including whether the fuel issue was a factor, remain at the forefront. Authorities have yet to comment on any potential mechanical failure or human error that may have contributed to the crash. The tragic loss of the Escobar family, a prominent business couple, and their young children has left the global community grieving.
