Siemens executive killed alongside his family and pilot after sightseeing helicopter crashes into Hudson River

Siemens executive Agustin Escobar was confirmed to have been killed in the crash alongside his family, who were in New York City to celebrate one of their children’s birthdays

A Siemens executive visiting New York City from Spain was tragically killed alongside his family when the sightseeing helicopter they were riding in plummeted into the Hudson River on Thursday afternoon.

The victims included tech executive Agustin Escobar, his wife, Mercè Camprubí Montal, a global manager at an energy technology company, and three children, in addition to the pilot. Four of those on board were pronounced dead at the scene, while another two died in a local hospital, authorities confirmed.

The children were 4, 8 and 10 years old.

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Around 3:15 p.m., the helicopter, a Bell 206 LongRanger, went down into the river that divides New York City from New Jersey. The helicopter took off from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, according to FlightRadar24.

Speaking to CBS New York, Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopter, the company operating the charter, said he was left “devastated” by the crash.

“I don't know anything about how this went down. The only thing I can tell you, we are devastated. My wife hasn't stopped crying since this afternoon. We're a small company. I'm a father and a grandfather, and we're just devastated. We have no clue what happened.”

Agustin Escobar pictured with his wife, Mercè Camprubí Montal, in 2018 (Facebook)

Six people were aboard a helicopter when it crashed into the Hudson River near New York City (@AvirbhawRakesh / X)

When questioned about the helicopter's condition, Roth said, “We follow all the rules and more.”

Videos of the incident circulated on social media. Some showed emergency boats surrounding the helicopter, which was upside down in the water. Other videos showed the helicopter falling upside down and hitting the water.

Avi Rakesh, who posted a video of the helicopter on X, said he witnessed one of the helicopter blades fly off.

"I don't know what happened to the tail, but it just straight up dropped," he told NBC News. "It dropped feet away from Holland Tunnel, and I can't imagine if it hit it."

Another witness, Peter Park of Jersey City, New Jersey, told the New York Times he heard “a loud bang” around the time of the incident and looked out the window to see the aircraft emitting black smoke. Park said he saw the helicopter's unattached blades falling into the river.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, but experts believe the weather is unlikely to have contributed to the disaster.

Justin Green, an aviation lawyer and former Marine Corps helicopter pilot, said video of the crash suggested that a “catastrophic mechanical failure” left the pilot with no chance to save the helicopter.

Green said it is possible that the helicopter’s main rotors struck the tail boom, breaking it apart and causing the cabin to free fall.

“They were dead as soon as whatever happened happened,” Green said. “There’s no indication they had any control over the craft. No pilot could have prevented that accident once they lost the lifts. It’s like a rock falling to the ground. It’s heartbreaking.”

President Donald Trump spoke about the incident in a post on TruthSocial.

“Terrible helicopter crash in the Hudson River. Looks like six people, the pilot, two adults, and three children, are no longer with us. The footage of the accident is horrendous. God bless the families and friends of the victims. Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, and his talented staff are on it. Announcements as to exactly what took place, and how, will be made shortly!”

Rescue workers quickly get to work trying to recover six people who were aboard the helicopter. A cause of the crash has not been released (REUTERS)

It was some hours before the fuselage and cabin of the helicopter was lifted from the water (REUTERS)

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board announced in a statement that they were leading the investigation into the incident.

“A Bell 206 helicopter crashed and is submerged in the Hudson River in New York City,” the FAA and NTSB said.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams arrived at the scene roughly an hour and a half after the incident, calling it a “heartbreaking and tragic crash.”

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said he was briefed on the crash, and the New Jersey State Police, as well as the Port Authority of New Jersey and New York, were supporting emergency responders in their efforts.

Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez described the crash as an “unimaginable tragedy” in a statement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.