Victims Of Deadly Hudson River Helicopter Crash Have Been Identified
on Apr 10, 2025
A family of five was killed when a tourist helicopter crashed into New York City’s Hudson River Thursday afternoon.
A tourist helicopter operated by New York Helicopter was carrying a family of five from Spain when it “split in half” and crashed into the river below. Agustin Escobar, president and CEO of technology company Siemens in Spain, was aboard the Bell 206 L-4 helicopter with his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children, ages 4, 5, and 11.
(Photo credit: New York Helicopter Tours LLC.)
The New York Times reports that the Escobar family had arrived in New York City from Barcelona earlier in the day. The pilot of the aircraft hasn’t been named.
The Doomed Aircraft’s Flight History
According to the FAA, the 15-year-old helicopter took off from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport at 2:59 p.m. It traveled to the George Washington Bridge before returning along the New Jersey side of the river. At 3:25 p.m., the aircraft went off radar.
Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopter Tour, told news outlets that the pilot was returning to base to refuel.
“He [the pilot] called in that he was landing and that he needed fuel, and it should have taken him about three minutes to arrive, but 20 minutes later, he didn’t arrive.”
Authorities quickly responded to the site of the crash and NYPD divers recovered all six bodies from the river. Four died at the scene and two were transported to a local hospital and succumbed to their injuries, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a press conference.
Footage was captured of the terrifying crash.
Video captured by eyewitnesses shows the aircraft breaking apart before hitting the water. Clips show the propeller detaching from the helicopter and falling into the water before the helicopter then nosedives into the river. Viewer discretion is advised.
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
Numerous witnesses spoke to local media to give their account of the incident. “It was maybe on top of the water for three or four seconds before it went under. It was fast,” the 21-year-old construction worker told the New York Post.
Other witnesses confirmed his account, adding that the aircraft “split in half” and “the tail whipped off and the propeller fell” as the helicopter descended. Those who saw the crash say they heard a loud sound as the chopper broke apart.
“Like a boom sound when it hit, it was a crackling sound, I guess you could say, something breaking apart in mid-air. The helicopter was still pretty loud, and then just a loud, loud crash into the water,” the construction worker said.
The NTSB is launching an investigation into the crash.
