The tragic Hudson River helicopter crash on Thursday claimed the lives of Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, their three children, and the pilot. The family, visiting New York City from Barcelona, had arrived earlier that day for a sightseeing tour. The helicopter, operated by New York Helicopter Charter, crashed at approximately 3:15 PM local time.
Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopter Charter, expressed his devastation, stating, “The only thing I know by watching a video of the helicopter falling down is that the main rotor blades weren’t on the helicopter. I haven’t seen anything like that in my 30 years in the helicopter business.” Roth also revealed that the pilot had flagged critical fuel issues before the crash, reporting that he was attempting to land but never arrived.
New York Mayor Eric Adams extended his condolences, confirming that all six victims had been recovered from the water but were sadly pronounced dead. Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop announced that the local police department is leading the investigation, with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) set to take over.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with speculation ranging from mechanical failure to a possible bird strike. The incident has left the aviation community and the families of the late Agustin Escobar and family in mourning.
