In a heart-wrenching tragedy that has gripped both sides of the Atlantic, a Spanish family of five—Agustín Escobar, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their three young children aged 4, 5, and 11—lost their lives alongside their pilot when a sightseeing helicopter crashed into New York’s Hudson River.
The ill-fated flight, operated by New York Helicopters, took off from Downtown Skyport in Lower Manhattan at 2:59 p.m. local time on what should have been a joyful aerial tour of the city. Just 18 minutes later, the Bell 206 aircraft spiraled out of control near the George Washington Bridge, flipping upside down before crashing into the river in a horrifying spectacle caught on camera and witnessed by stunned onlookers.
The pilot, whose identity remains undisclosed, was also killed in the crash. Officials confirmed that all six individuals onboard perished—four were declared dead at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries at a nearby hospital.
Agustín Escobar and Mercè Camprubí Montal were senior executives with global technology giant Siemens. Their vacation, meant to be a memorable family experience, instead ended in an unthinkable tragedy.
“Our hearts are with the victims and their families during this unimaginable time,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “This is a heartbreaking loss that touches us all.”
Eyewitnesses described the surreal and terrifying moments following the crash.
“I looked out the window and saw people running toward the water,” said Jersey City resident Jenn Lynk. “At first, I wasn’t sure what was happening—then I heard the sirens. So many sirens.”
“I saw black particles in the sky,” added another witness, Ipsitaa Banigrhi. “At first, I thought it was dust or birds. But when the emergency vehicles started rushing past, I knew something terrible had happened.”
Emergency crews sprang into action. “Swimmers were in the water moments after the distress call,” New York Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker confirmed, praising the rapid response of rescue teams.
Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopter Charter Inc., expressed deep sorrow. “I’m a father and a grandfather. My wife hasn’t stopped crying since it happened,” he said emotionally. When asked about the helicopter’s maintenance, Roth deferred, stating, “My director of maintenance handles those matters.”
Former U.S. President Donald Trump also weighed in via Truth Social, writing, “God bless the families and friends of the victims.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched a full investigation, with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) expected to lead the probe into what caused the aircraft—commonly used for tourism, police operations, and media coverage—to crash so suddenly and violently.
This tragedy draws painful comparisons to past New York helicopter crashes, including a 2018 East River incident that killed five tourists and a 2009 mid-air collision over the Hudson that claimed nine lives.
As both the Spanish and American public mourn the loss, questions are swirling about helicopter safety regulations, oversight, and whether more stringent protocols might prevent such catastrophic failures in the future.
PIONEER NEWS 