Six people, including a Spanish tech executive, his wife, their three children, and the pilot, were killed when a sightseeing helicopter crashed into New York City’s Hudson River on Thursday, April 10, 2025. The aircraft, a Bell 206 operated by New York Helicopters, had taken off from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport around 2:59 p.m. and went down near Pier 40 in Lower Manhattan, close to the Holland Tunnel, at approximately 3:17 p.m.
Authorities identified the victims as Agustin Escobar, head of Siemens’ operations in Spain and Southwest Europe, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their children, aged 4, 5, and 11. The 36-year-old pilot, whose name has not yet been released, also died. The family had been on a sightseeing tour of Manhattan when the tragedy occurred. Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter spinning uncontrollably and parts, including the main rotor blade, flying off before the aircraft plunged upside down into the river.
Emergency responders, including divers from the New York Police Department (NYPD) and Fire Department (FDNY), arrived within minutes. Four victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while two were taken to nearby hospitals but succumbed to their injuries. NYPD boats and other emergency vessels were seen surrounding the wreckage site during recovery efforts, and a crane later lifted the submerged helicopter from the water.
Eyewitnesses along the New Jersey shoreline described hearing a loud noise and watching the helicopter descend rapidly before slamming into the Hudson. Lesly Camacho, a restaurant worker in Hoboken, recalled seeing the chopper spinning and trailing smoke before impact. Another witness, Avi Rakesh, said the rotor blade detached and the helicopter “just straight up dropped.” Social media videos captured the horrifying moment the helicopter fell from the sky.
Officials from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a full investigation, with the NTSB leading the probe. According to preliminary reports, the helicopter lost control after turning near the George Washington Bridge along the New Jersey side of the river. The cause of the malfunction remains unknown.
New York Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the six fatalities and expressed deep condolences, stating, “Our hearts go out to the families.” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch emphasized the complexity of the recovery and the need to await further investigation findings. She noted that the identities of the victims were withheld until families had been informed.
The crash has drawn attention to the safety of tourist helicopter flights in New York City. In 2018, a similar crash in the East River killed five passengers. In 2009, a midair collision between a helicopter and a private plane over the Hudson killed nine.
Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopter Charter Inc., said he was “devastated” by the incident and expressed sorrow for the families, adding that maintenance concerns would be addressed by the company’s director of maintenance.
President Donald Trump called the crash “terrible” in a Truth Social post and offered prayers for the victims’ families. Meanwhile, U.S. Representative Grace Meng expressed her devastation on social media, and city officials warned residents to expect emergency activity and delays in the surrounding Tribeca neighborhood.
As investigations continue, the city mourns the tragic loss of six lives in what is now one of the deadliest helicopter crashes in recent New York history.
