A helicopter crash into the Hudson River has claimed the lives of six people, including a family of five from Spain, in a tragic incident that unfolded Thursday afternoon near Manhattan’s west side.
The victims include Agustín Escobar and his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal—both high-ranking executives at Siemens—and their three children, aged four, five, and 11.
The sixth victim was the pilot of the aircraft. Their identities have not been officially released by authorities, but have been widely reported by Spanish and international media.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the deaths during a press conference. “Our hearts go out to the families,” he said solemnly, calling the crash a “devastating tragedy for our city and the international community.”
The Bell 206 helicopter, operated by New York Helicopters, took off from Downtown Manhattan Heliport at 2:59 p.m. local time.
Roughly 18 minutes later, distress calls began pouring in after the aircraft lost control and plummeted upside-down into the Hudson River, near the George Washington Bridge. Authorities say the helicopter had turned to follow the New Jersey shoreline when it went down.
Dramatic footage captured by bystanders showed the aircraft spiraling and flipping before crashing into the water. Witnesses reported seeing debris falling from the sky and hearing a noise “like thunder.” Jersey City resident Jenn Lynk said, “I saw a few people running towards the water, and then the sirens just started.”
Emergency response teams were on the scene within minutes. New York Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker said rescue swimmers entered the river shortly after the first emergency call was received at 3:17 p.m. Despite immediate life-saving efforts, four victims were pronounced dead at the scene and two others died later at a nearby hospital.
A statement from Siemens confirmed the deaths of Escobar and Camprubí Montal and expressed deep sorrow. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Agustin Escobar and his family. Our deepest condolences go out to all of his relatives,” a spokesperson said.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the news “devastating” and expressed solidarity with the victims’ families. Salvador Illa, the regional leader of Catalonia, offered his condolences, saying, “All my affection to the family and friends of this beloved family from Barcelona.”
Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopter Charter Inc., told CNN he was heartbroken. “I’m a father, a grandfather, and my wife hasn’t stopped crying since this afternoon,” he said, adding that maintenance issues would be addressed by his technical staff.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation, with support from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Bell 206, a popular two-blade helicopter model used for sightseeing and news reporting, has a history of being involved in prior accidents in the region.
In 2018, five passengers drowned after a similar tourist helicopter crashed into the East River. In 2009, another mid-air collision over the Hudson involving a helicopter and a small plane killed nine people.
President Donald Trump posted his condolences on Truth Social, calling the event “terrible” and offering prayers for the families affected.
As investigations begin, the crash once again raises concerns about the safety of helicopter tourism in densely populated urban airspace.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members