A Spanish family tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash in the Hudson River on Thursday, April 10, 2025. The victims have been identified as Agustín Escobar, the president and CEO of Siemens in Spain, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children aged 4, 5, and 11. All were visiting New York City for a holiday after arriving from Barcelona earlier that day.
The helicopter, a Bell 206, reportedly broke apart in mid-air before crashing upside-down into the Hudson River near Pier 40 at approximately 3:15 PM local time. Witnesses described the chopper as having “split in half” and heard what sounded like a “sonic boom” as it descended. The incident has been labeled one of the deadliest helicopter crashes in New York City in nearly two decades.
Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopters, expressed his devastation over the incident, stating, "I’m absolutely devastated. The only thing I know by watching a video of the helicopter falling down is that the main rotor blades weren’t on the helicopter. I haven’t seen anything like that in my 30 years being in the helicopter business." Eyewitness accounts indicated that the helicopter was only in the air for about 16 minutes, during which it circled near the Statue of Liberty before losing control.
Agustín Escobar had an impressive career, holding positions that included CEO of Siemens Mobility Southwest Europe since December 2022. He had over 25 years of experience in the energy and transportation sectors, leading teams across various continents. His wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, also had a significant professional background, working as a global manager at Siemens Energy in Spain.
Photos taken shortly before the crash showed the family smiling and preparing for their sightseeing adventure. However, the joyous occasion turned into tragedy as the helicopter plummeted into the river, with divers from the NYPD and FDNY arriving quickly to the scene. Four victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others were transported to local hospitals where they later succumbed to their injuries.
Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the deaths, stating, "Our hearts go out to the families of those who were onboard. All six have been removed from the water, and sadly all six victims were pronounced dead." The investigation into the crash is being led by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted that the helicopter was flying in a Special Flight Rules Area, meaning there were no air traffic control services at the time of the crash. Roth speculated about possible causes, suggesting a bird strike or a mechanical failure might have led to the disaster. He indicated that the main rotor blades were absent from the helicopter in the video he reviewed.
Eyewitness Dani Horbiak recounted her experience watching the helicopter fall, reporting, "I heard five or six loud noises that sounded almost like gunshots in the sky and saw pieces fall off, then watched it fall into the river." Another witness described the horrifying moment, saying, "It appeared like the helicopter's rotor blade shattered in the sky. After it shattered, we saw the helicopter just spiral down before crashing into the water."
This incident adds to a troubling history of helicopter crashes in New York City, where at least 38 people have died in such accidents since 1977. The last significant crash occurred in 2018, when a helicopter crashed into the East River, resulting in five fatalities.
In the wake of the tragedy, President Donald Trump expressed his condolences, calling the crash "terrible" and stating, "The footage of the accident is horrendous. God bless the families and friends of the victims." He assured that the investigation would be thorough and that announcements regarding the incident would be forthcoming.
The Escobar family’s visit to New York was meant to be a memorable experience, filled with excitement and exploration. Instead, it has left a community mourning the loss of innocent lives and questioning the safety of tourist flights in the bustling city.
As the investigation unfolds, officials are expected to provide more details about the crash and what may have led to this heartbreaking event. The families of the victims are left to grapple with their loss, while the community reflects on the fragility of life and the importance of safety in aviation.
