A sightseeing helicopter carrying a Spanish family and a pilot crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday, killing all six people onboard, including three children.
The devastating crash sparked a major emergency response involving police, fire department divers, and rescue boats from both New York and New Jersey.
Authorities confirmed that the victims included Agustin Escobar, the CEO of Siemens Spain, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their children aged 4, 5, and 11.
The 36-year-old pilot, who has not yet been identified, also died in the crash. Two of the victims were initially transported to hospital but later succumbed to their injuries.
Mayor Eric Adams described the event as a “heartbreaking and tragic crash.”
The helicopter, a Bell 206 operated by New York Helicopter, took off around 3:00 pm and reportedly lost control near Hoboken after completing a tour along the Manhattan skyline.
Witnesses reported seeing the rotor blades shatter midair before the chopper spiraled into the river. “It just crashed into the water like that,” said local fashion designer Belle Angel.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed that four victims were recovered from the crash site by NYPD divers, and two by FDNY divers. Despite immediate lifesaving efforts, all were pronounced dead.
The FAA and NTSB have launched investigations into the cause of the crash. The incident has reignited calls for tighter helicopter traffic regulations in the city, with Brooklyn Borough President Mark Levine citing a troubling pattern of past accidents.
