A sightseeing helicopter ride in New York ended in tragedy on Thursday when the aircraft crashed into the Hudson River. All six people onboard died, including a top Siemens executive and his family.
Siemens Executive and His Family Among Victims
Agustín Escobar, the CEO of Siemens Spain and Global CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, was killed in the crash along with his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children, aged 4, 5, and 11. The pilot of the helicopter also died.
The family had arrived in New York only a few hours before the accident and were taking a sightseeing tour with New York Helicopter Tours.
The helicopter, a Bell 206 model, took off from the Wall Street Heliport around 3 pm. It was flying along the Manhattan shoreline toward the George Washington Bridge. According to witnesses, something broke off from the rotor while in the air. After that, the helicopter started spinning and fell into the Hudson River near Pier 40.
JUST IN: 6 people are confirmed to be deceased in the Hudson River helicopter crash, according to the Associated Press.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 10, 2025
The chopper's propeller was seen detached from the helicopter, spinning into the water.
According to a witness who spoke with NBC, the chopper blade just… pic.twitter.com/EMpWMJC9el
Rescue Operation and Victim Recovery
Emergency teams from NYPD and FDNY responded quickly. Four victims were found dead at the crash site. The other two were taken to hospitals but later died from their injuries, according to New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
Eyewitnesses Describe the Scene
People near the river said the helicopter was spinning out of control and had smoke coming from it before crashing. One witness said it looked like the rotor blade broke in the sky. “It was spinning and then just dropped,” said another.
Justin Green, a helicopter expert and former Marine Corps pilot, said the crash video suggests a major mechanical failure. He believes the main rotor might have hit the tail boom, causing the helicopter to lose all control. “No pilot could save it after that,” he said. “It’s like a stone falling. Very sad.”
About Agustín Escobar
Escobar had more than 25 years of experience in leading international business operations across the US, South America, Germany, and Spain. He was based in Barcelona. Under his leadership, Siemens Mobility worked on important transport and rail infrastructure projects worldwide.
Former Siemens Spain head Miguel Ángel López praised Escobar’s contribution, saying he was key to the company’s success in the mobility sector.
Reactions from Leaders
New York Mayor Eric Adams called it a “heartbreaking and tragic crash.” He confirmed that all six victims had been recovered from the water.
US President Donald Trump also reacted on Truth Social:
“Terrible helicopter crash in the Hudson River. Looks like six people — the pilot, two adults, and three children — are no longer with us. The footage is horrendous. God bless the families and friends of the victims.”
He added that the Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, and his team are investigating the accident.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating the exact cause of the crash. So far, early signs suggest a serious technical failure.
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