Helicopter Crash in NYC Kills Siemens Exec and Family
A tragic helicopter crash in New York claimed six lives, including Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children, aged 4, 5, and 11. The family, visiting from Spain, had just arrived in NYC that day.
The aircraft, operated by New York Helicopter Tours, took off from Lower Manhattan at 3 p.m. Thursday and crashed into the Hudson River 15 minutes later. Witnesses described the helicopter spiraling, splitting mid-air, and losing its rotor before plunging near Pier 40. Social media footage shows it upside down in the water.
NYPD and FDNY divers recovered all six victims. Four were pronounced dead at the scene; two later died at local hospitals.
Escobar, a key executive at Siemens Spain, was widely respected. Former colleague Juan Ignacio Diaz described him as a calm, devoted family man.
Preliminary reports suggest the helicopter may have been low on fuel. Michael Roth, owner of New York Helicopter, confirmed the pilot had radioed in for a fuel stop before the crash. Roth expressed devastation, saying his team is still unsure what went wrong.
President Trump posted condolences, calling the incident “terrible” and pledging a full investigation. The Coast Guard established a safety zone, halting river traffic near the site.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud boom and seeing debris. The weather was overcast with strong wind gusts and water temperatures around 50°F.
Photos taken before the flight showed the family smiling, unaware of the tragedy ahead. May they rest in peace.