The tragic helicopter crash in New York has become even more heart-wrenching as we learn new details and hear accounts from those who witnessed the devastating event. A sightseeing helicopter plunged into the Hudson River, claiming the lives of a family of five who were visiting from Barcelona, Spain.
The Perilous Fuel Shortage
The family was enjoying what should have been a memorable sightseeing tour of New York City when, just 18 minutes in, calamity struck. The helicopter lost control and crashed into the Hudson River, not far from Pier A Park in Hoboken.
Updating on this tragic event, it was revealed that the pilot had radioed back to base to report a dire situation – the helicopter was running low on fuel shortly after the tour commenced.
Michael Roth, a 71-year-old owner of New York Helicopter, which provides scenic tours in the sky over New York, shared with The Telegraph that the pilot, whose identity remains undisclosed, had alerted the base that they needed to return to the helipad. Heartbreakingly, they never made it back.
Witnesses Describe the Unimaginable
Videos of the crash captured the horrifying scene of the helicopter overturned in the water, near the bustling Manhattan’s West Side Highway and Spring Street.
Witnesses recount seeing the tail and rotor blades seemingly snap off mid-air before the aircraft took its fatal dive into the river below.
One nearby onlooker vividly described the sound of the helicopter “splitting in two,” comparing the echo to a “sonic boom.” Another individual likened the noise to a thunderclap and recalled observing “black particles soaring” through the sky.
The victims of this tragic accident include Agustin Escobar, President and CEO of Siemens in Spain, alongside his wife and their three children. Their identities were confirmed by a report from the New York Post.
One eyewitness, known as Max, recounted his experience to ABC News, detailing the horrifying noises he heard and the shattering vision of the helicopter breaking apart.
BREAKING: Agustin Escobar, President and CEO of Siemens in Spain, along with his wife and their three children, were identified as the victims of the helicopter that plunged into the Hudson River in New York City on Thursday, according to the New York Post.
— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) April 11, 2025
The New York… pic.twitter.com/cGOiJWGFAx
Max said, “It sounded just like a sonic boom. I looked up and saw the helicopter in pieces, with the rotor spiraling off into the sky at great speed before it plunged straight into the water.”
“It was terrifying. I stood there in disbelief, and soon after the shock, police and emergency teams began arriving.”
“Never in my life have I seen anything like that.”
The Sad Identities
The victims have been identified as Agustín Escobar, a highly respected executive, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children, aged 11, 5, and 4.
The family had recently arrived in New York City to celebrate a birthday, as reported by the Spanish publication El Diario. What was meant to be a joyous occasion turned into an indescribable tragedy as the family’s lives were cut short.
Agustin Escobar had a long and distinguished career at Siemens, serving over 27 years and reaching the position of global CEO for rail infrastructure. His wife Merce Camprubi Montal also held a prominent position as a global manager at Siemens. The couple and their young children were on a special trip, hoping to enjoy iconic views of the Statue of Liberty during a scenic helicopter tour.
In a statement released by Siemens, the company expressed their profound sorrow, stating, “We are deeply grieving the loss of Agustin Escobar and his family in this tragic helicopter accident. Our deepest condolences go out to all their loved ones.”
A History of Helicopter Accidents
The ill-fated Bell 206 helicopter belonged to Meridian Helicopters, a company from Louisiana specializing in the sale, leasing, and refurbishment of aircraft. New York Helicopter, renowned for their scenic tours, was operating this helicopter with safety standards supposedly intact.
Michael Roth, the CEO of New York Helicopter, spoke of the company’s devastation, noting that his wife had been inconsolable since the afternoon tragedy. “I’m a father and a grandfather. We are devastated.”
Since 1977, at least 32 people have lost their lives in helicopter crashes in New York. The most recent incident before this tragedy occurred in 2019 when an executive helicopter crashed into a skyscraper roof, resulting in the pilot’s demise.
This event serves as a somber reminder of the unpredictability of life and the fleeting nature of plans we assume as given.
Our sympathies are with the family and all those affected. It is unimaginable, the fear that must have engulfed the victims during their last moments.
