Five Killed in Hudson River Helicopter Crash
A tragic helicopter crash in New York City has claimed the lives of six people, including three children, after a tourist flight ended in disaster over the Hudson River.
According to authorities, the victims included a family of five from Spain—two parents and their three young children—alongside the American pilot.
The family has been widely identified in Spanish media as Agustín Escobar and his wife, Mercè Camprubí Montal, both high-ranking executives at Siemens, and their children, aged 4, 5, and 11.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the fatalities at a press briefing, expressing deep condolences to the families affected. “Our hearts go out to the families,” he said solemnly.
The helicopter, operated by New York Helicopters, took off from Manhattan’s Downtown Skyport at 2:59 p.m. local time before reportedly losing control just minutes later near the George Washington Bridge.
It ultimately crashed into the Hudson River around 3:17 p.m. The aircraft, a Bell 206, was commonly used for sightseeing tours and corporate charters.
Shocking video footage captured the helicopter spiraling upside down before plunging into the river. Witnesses described seeing debris fall from the sky and hearing sounds like thunder.
“I saw black particles flying,” said eyewitness Ipsitaa Banigrhi, while another local, Jenn Lynk, described confusion followed by a surge of emergency sirens.
Emergency responders were on the scene within minutes. Divers entered the frigid waters to search for victims, but despite swift rescue efforts, four were pronounced dead at the scene and two others died at a nearby hospital.
The crash occurred near Manhattan’s west side, a bustling area filled with upscale shops and restaurants, not far from New York University’s main campus. The incident has sent shockwaves through both the local community and abroad.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the news “devastating” and expressed solidarity with the victims’ loved ones. Barcelona’s regional leader, Salvador Illa, also shared his condolences, noting the family’s deep roots in the city.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the investigation is being led by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which will examine the helicopter’s maintenance records, pilot history, and any potential mechanical failures.
Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopter Charter Inc., expressed heartbreak in a statement to CNN. “I’m a father, a grandfather, and my wife hasn’t stopped crying,” he said. When asked about the aircraft’s condition, he deferred to his maintenance director.
President Donald Trump also responded to the tragedy via his Truth Social platform, calling the incident “terrible” and offering prayers for the victims’ families.
This incident marks another somber entry in New York’s history of helicopter crashes. In 2018, a sightseeing helicopter crashed into the East River, killing all five passengers. And in 2009, a tourist helicopter collided with a small plane over the Hudson, claiming nine lives.
As the investigation unfolds, city officials and aviation experts alike are calling for renewed scrutiny of aerial tourism and flight safety protocols in one of the world’s busiest airspaces.
Five Killed in Hudson River Helicopter Crash
