A helicopter crash in the Hudson River on Thursday, April 10th, left six people dead, including a family of five from Spain and the pilot. The crash occurred after the sightseeing helicopter broke apart midair, falling into the river near the border of New York and New Jersey. The victims included Agustin Escobar, a Siemens executive, his wife, Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their three children, aged 4, 5, and 11. The pilot, 36, also lost his life.
The helicopter, operated by New York Helicopters, took off from the Wall Street Heliport at approximately 3 p.m. The flight, intended to offer a scenic view of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, lasted just over 15 minutes before the aircraft plummeted into the water. Eyewitnesses reported hearing loud noises before seeing parts of the helicopter, including the main rotor and tail, separate midflight. One witness described seeing the helicopter “fall apart,” with the main rotor spinning uncontrollably before the aircraft crashed.
The family, who had recently arrived in New York City to celebrate one of the children’s birthdays, had been photographed smiling before boarding the helicopter. Video footage from the crash showed the aircraft tumbling into the river and landing upside down. First responders quickly arrived at the scene, and four victims were pronounced dead at the location, with the other two confirmed dead at a nearby hospital.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified the helicopter as a Bell 206, a model commonly used for sightseeing flights. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Michael Roth, owner of New York Helicopters, expressed devastation over the incident. In a statement, Roth explained, “I’m a father and a grandfather, and to have children there, I’m devastated. The only thing I know by watching a video of the helicopter falling down, that the main rotor blades weren’t on the helicopter,”
The crash has drawn international attention, with condolences pouring in from officials in Spain, including Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who called the incident “devastating.” The tragedy has reignited concerns about helicopter safety in New York City, where there have been several high-profile crashes in recent years.
