A devastating accident unfolded in the United States near New Jersey, as a sightseeing helicopter plunged into the Hudson River, killing all six people on board — five passengers and the pilot. Among the victims were Agustín Escobar, head of Siemens’ Spanish branch, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their three young children, aged 4, 5, and 11. The pilot, a 36-year-old New Yorker, also lost his life.
The family had just arrived in New York from Barcelona earlier that day. Heartbreaking photos shared on the New York Helicopter Tours website captured the smiling family posing in front of the Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV before takeoff. Moments later, they were photographed inside the cabin, buckled in and beaming with excitement, unaware it would be their final journey together.
The flight lasted just 16 minutes, departing from the Wall Street heliport and circling the Statue of Liberty before disaster struck. Witnesses reported hearing several loud cracks, like gunshots, and saw pieces of the aircraft breaking apart mid-air before plunging into the river.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene and recovered mangled wreckage from the water. Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopter Charter, expressed his deep sorrow, saying he was “absolutely devastated” by the tragedy.
What was meant to be a joyful family outing turned into an unimaginable heartbreak — a loss that has left two continents in mourning.
Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopter Charter, revealed chilling details about the moments before the crash. “The pilot called in and said he was landing because he needed fuel. It should have taken him about three minutes to return to base, but twenty minutes later, he still hadn’t arrived,” Roth said.
Discussing possible causes, Roth added, “The only thing I can say, after reviewing the crash footage, is that the main rotor blades were missing. In my 30 years in the helicopter business, I’ve never seen anything like it. I have no idea what could’ve happened. I can only speculate — maybe the rotor blades failed, or a bird strike occurred.”
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed that four victims were declared dead at the scene, while two more died later in the hospital. “Our hearts go out to the families of those on board. All six individuals were recovered from the water, and tragically, none survived,” she said.
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop stated that the Jersey City Police Department is taking the lead in the investigation until officials from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) arrive. Helicopter travel is a common practice in Manhattan, especially among business executives and tourists, due to the city’s multiple heliports.
This devastating accident adds to a grim statistic: since 1977, at least 32 people have died in helicopter crashes in New York City. The last major incident occurred in 2018 when a helicopter went down in the East River, killing all five passengers.
As investigations continue, a city mourns yet another tragic loss in its skies.
