A devastating helicopter crash over the Hudson River on April 10, 2025, has left six people dead, including a family of five visiting New York from Barcelona, Spain. The tragic incident occurred around 3:15 p.m. near Pier 40, prompting swift emergency response efforts and an outpouring of condolences from around the world.
What Happened?
According to official reports from the New York Police Department (NYPD), the helicopter involved in the crash was a sightseeing aircraft that took off from the Wall Street Heliport. The tour lasted approximately 16 minutes and was scheduled to fly over several key landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty and the George Washington Bridge.
Tragically, the aircraft never made it back to the helipad. Eyewitness accounts and preliminary investigation findings indicate that the helicopter may have experienced catastrophic mechanical failure during the flight. Shortly before the crash, the pilot reportedly made a distress call to alert the heliport that the helicopter was low on fuel and intended to return for refueling.
Victims of the Crash
The passengers on board included Agustin Escobar, a prominent executive who served as the CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility in Spain. Accompanying him were his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children, aged 4, 5, and 11. The pilot, a 36-year-old male whose name has not yet been publicly released, also lost his life in the crash.
Escobar had a distinguished career in the field of transportation and infrastructure and was a respected leader within Siemens. According to The Daily Mail, the family had arrived in New York from Barcelona earlier that day for a sightseeing tour, a common attraction for international tourists in the city.
Photos posted online before the crash showed the family smiling together at the heliport and inside the helicopter, capturing what would become their final moments.
Eyewitness Accounts and Immediate Aftermath
Multiple witnesses who were present along the Hudson River described hearing an explosive noise moments before seeing the helicopter descend rapidly into the water.
“I heard a loud boom, like a sonic blast,” one eyewitness told ABC News. “I looked up and saw the helicopter split apart. The rotor seemed to come off before the rest of it hit the water. It was surreal and horrifying.”
Another onlooker described the crash as “instant,” saying the aircraft plummeted nose-first into the river, leading many to fear the worst even before emergency crews arrived on the scene.
The NYPD and other emergency responders launched immediate recovery efforts. Despite their quick arrival, none of the six occupants survived the impact. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisc confirmed at a press conference that the aircraft “lost control and hit the water.”
Operator Speaks Out
Michael Roth, the 71-year-old owner of New York Helicopter, the tour company that operated the doomed flight, expressed deep sorrow over the incident. In an interview with The Telegraph, Roth revealed that the pilot had radioed the heliport shortly after takeoff to report a need for fuel and that the flight was returning to base.
“He called in that he needed fuel and was heading back. It should have taken him about three minutes to arrive. But 20 minutes later, he still hadn’t returned,” Roth said.
Roth said that the entire team at New York Helicopter is devastated. “Every employee is in mourning. My wife has not stopped crying,” he added. “We got the first alert from my manager downtown, and then my phone just kept ringing.”
According to Roth, one of the company’s other pilots flew over the Hudson after the crash and spotted the helicopter upside down in the water. Roth later told the New York Post that based on video footage, the aircraft appeared to be missing its main rotor blades.
Ongoing Investigation
As of now, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are leading a full investigation into the cause of the crash. Preliminary findings suggest that mechanical failure may have played a significant role, particularly if the rotor blade separated mid-flight. However, authorities have cautioned against drawing conclusions until a full investigation is complete.
The FAA has already begun collecting evidence from the crash site, including aircraft parts recovered from the Hudson River and recordings of the pilot’s last radio transmissions.
Mechanical failure, weather conditions, and human error are all being examined as potential contributing factors.
Impact on the Community and Aviation Industry
The loss of an entire family, including three young children, has sparked widespread grief both in the United States and Spain. Siemens issued a statement expressing profound sorrow for the loss of one of its senior leaders and his family, describing Escobar as “an extraordinary visionary and a beloved colleague.”
Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also acknowledged the incident and stated that consular services are working closely with U.S. authorities to assist the victims’ relatives.
In New York, tour helicopter safety is once again under scrutiny. Although helicopter tours are a popular tourist activity in the city, they have been subject to regulatory review in the past following previous incidents. City officials are expected to evaluate whether further restrictions or enhanced safety measures should be implemented.
The Popularity and Risk of Helicopter Tours
Sightseeing helicopter tours in major cities like New York offer tourists a unique aerial view of iconic landmarks. While generally considered safe, the industry is not without risks. According to the FAA, helicopter tour companies are required to follow strict maintenance protocols and pilot training standards. However, any oversight or mechanical issue can have serious consequences.
A 2021 report by the NTSB found that approximately 4.8 accidents occur for every 100,000 flight hours in the U.S. helicopter industry. While these statistics indicate a relatively low accident rate, they also emphasize the importance of continuous oversight and adherence to safety standards.
In Memory
The families and colleagues of those who lost their lives in this tragic accident are now mourning the sudden and heartbreaking loss. The story has reminded many of the importance of air travel safety, particularly for recreational flights, and has prompted renewed calls for transparency and stricter regulations in the aerial tour industry.
As the investigation continues, the hope remains that answers will emerge—both to provide closure to the grieving families and to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Our thoughts are with all those affected by this profound loss.
Sources:
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National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) – www.ntsb.gov
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Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – www.faa.gov
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New York Police Department (NYPD) press conference, April 10, 2025
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The Daily Mail, April 11, 2025
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The Telegraph, April 11, 2025
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New York Post, April 11, 2025
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ABC News eyewitness interviews, April 10, 2025
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Siemens Mobility official statement, April 11, 2025
