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Spanish Family Among Victims in Deadly NYC Helicopter Crash
Tragedy Strikes During Sightseeing Tour Over Hudson River
A devastating helicopter crash in New York City claimed the lives of six people, including a family of five visiting from Spain. The sightseeing helicopter went down over the Hudson River near the Holland Tunnel on April 9, 2025, just minutes after takeoff.
Victims Identified as Siemens Spain President and His Family
Among the victims was 55-year-old Agustín Escobar, the president of Siemens Spain, along with his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, 50, and their three children — Bruno, 16, Luca, 12, and Anna, 9. The family was enjoying a vacation in the U.S. when tragedy struck. The pilot, whose name has not yet been released, also died in the crash.
Helicopter Broke Apart in Mid-Air Before Plunging Into River
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud snapping sound before seeing the helicopter lose control and plummet into the river. The aircraft, a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger operated by New York Helicopter, had just taken off from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport for a scenic tour.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the helicopter experienced a “catastrophic mechanical failure” while in flight, though an official cause is still being determined.
Emergency Response and Recovery Efforts
Emergency responders arrived on the scene within minutes of the crash. The NYPD, FDNY, and Coast Guard launched a rapid recovery effort, closing off a section of the river to locate the victims and collect debris. All six bodies were recovered from the water.
The Coast Guard also issued a temporary safety zone to restrict vessel traffic in the area during the ongoing investigation and cleanup operations.
Growing Safety Concerns Over NYC Helicopter Flights
The incident has renewed public concern over the safety of sightseeing helicopter tours in New York. Advocacy groups like Stop the Chop NY/NJ have long pushed for tighter regulations or outright bans on non-essential helicopter flights over the city.
Andrew Rosenthal, a spokesperson for the group, called the tragedy “predictable and preventable,” noting that over 30 people have died in helicopter crashes around New York City since 1977.
Federal Authorities Investigating the Crash
Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are leading the investigation into what caused the mid-air breakup of the aircraft. Officials have not yet confirmed if the helicopter had any mechanical issues prior to takeoff or if weather played a role.
As of now, the company that operated the tour, New York Helicopter, has suspended its operations pending the outcome of the investigation.
