A devastating helicopter crash in New York City’s Hudson River has claimed the lives of a Spanish family of five, including two high-level Siemens executives, and the pilot. The crash occurred during a sightseeing tour near Pier 40 in lower Manhattan, turning what was meant to be a joyful family vacation into an unimaginable tragedy.
According to officials, the victims included Agustín Escobar, CEO of Siemens Spain, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, a global marketing manager at Siemens Energy, and their three young children, aged 4, 5, and 11. The pilot, whose identity has not yet been made public, also perished in the crash.
The helicopter, a Bell 206 operated by New York Helicopter Tours, had departed from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport and was roughly 18 minutes into the flight when it suddenly lost control and plunged into the Hudson River. Witnesses reported seeing parts of the aircraft break apart in mid-air just before impact.
Emergency services were on the scene within minutes, but tragically, none of the six individuals survived. All bodies and the wreckage have been recovered, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are now leading a full investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash.
Initial reports indicate that the pilot had radioed for fuel shortly before the incident, but it remains unclear if fuel levels or mechanical failure contributed to the crash.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez extended his condolences, calling the incident “heartbreaking,” and Siemens issued a statement mourning the loss of Escobar and his family, noting their deep impact on the company and global industry.
This tragedy marks one of the most deadly helicopter accidents in New York in recent years and has renewed concerns over the safety of non-commercial helicopter tours over densely populated cities.
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