A family from Barcelona tragically lost their lives when a helicopter they were aboard crashed into the Hudson River just hours after arriving in New York City.
The accident occurred on Thursday afternoon, taking the lives of Agustín Escobar, the president of the Spanish branch of Siemens, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, their three young children, and the 36-year-old pilot.
A Family’s First Day in New York Ends in Tragedy
Escobar and his family had just landed in New York City earlier that day, eager to explore the Big Apple.
They were visiting from Barcelona, and after their arrival, they decided to take a sightseeing tour in a helicopter.
Sadly, the tour ended in disaster when the chopper crashed into the murky waters of the Hudson River near Pier 40.
Witnesses on the scene reported hearing an unsettling sound before seeing the helicopter break apart mid-air. One bystander described the noise as resembling a “sonic boom.”
Eyewitness accounts confirmed that the helicopter crashed roughly 16 minutes after takeoff from the Wall Street Heliport.
The aircraft had made a brief circle around the Statue of Liberty before plummeting to the water.
Final Moments Captured Before the Crash
Heartbreaking photos taken moments before the crash show the family smiling and posing as they prepared to board the helicopter.
The children were beaming with excitement, with one of them giving a thumbs-up while sitting beside his father.
Another child was seen smiling next to the pilot, clearly thrilled by the upcoming adventure.
As the family eagerly anticipated their sightseeing experience, no one could have imagined the tragic outcome that would follow.
The Helicopter’s Fatal Descent
According to eyewitness Dani Horbiak, she witnessed the helicopter “fall out of the sky” from her apartment.
She recalled hearing several loud noises that sounded like gunshots before seeing parts of the helicopter break off and the aircraft crash into the river.
Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene, pulling out pieces of the wreckage from the water.
Four of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while the other two, including one child, were taken to the hospital but later succumbed to their injuries.
Uncertainty Surrounding the Cause of the Crash
The exact cause of the crash remains unclear. Michael Roth, the CEO of New York Helicopter Charter, expressed his shock and devastation following the incident.
After reviewing a video of the crash, Roth speculated that the main rotor blades might have fallen off the helicopter before the crash, but he admitted that he could not be certain.
He also suggested that a bird strike or rotor blade failure could be potential causes.
The pilot, according to Roth, had called in to report that he needed fuel and was planning to land. However, the helicopter did not return as expected.
Roth said the pilot’s estimated arrival time was only three minutes, but 20 minutes passed before he failed to land, adding to the confusion about what went wrong.
Officials Respond to the Tragedy
New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed his condolences to the families affected by the crash, stating, “Our hearts go out to the families of those who were onboard.”
All six individuals, including the pilot and the family, were confirmed dead after being removed from the river.
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop stated that local authorities were taking the lead on the investigation until the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) could arrive to conduct a thorough inquiry into the incident.
The Helicopter Crash History in New York City
Helicopter accidents in New York City are rare but not unheard of. Since 1977, at least 32 people have been killed in similar crashes.
The most recent accident occurred in 2018, when a helicopter crashed into the East River, killing five passengers.
The NTSB determined that the crash happened due to an issue with the helicopter’s tail, which got caught on the fuel shutoff lever.
As investigations continue, the aviation community in New York is left grappling with the causes of this tragic event and the impact it has had on the families involved.