The horrific helicopter tragedy in New York, where a tourist aircraft crashed into the Hudson River, killing a whole family, is now revealing more heartbreaking information and eyewitness testimony.
Not enough fuel
A family of five who were travelling from Barcelona, Spain to New York City perished tragically on Thursday when their sightseeing helicopter plunged into the Hudson River.
A terrible incident occurred just eighteen minutes into their sightseeing tour when the helicopter lost control and plunged into the water a short distance from Hoboken’s Pier A Park.
Just minutes into the journey, the pilot radioed back to base to let them know that the helicopter was already running low on fuel, according to a recent update.
The pilot, who has not yet been named, had called the base to inform them that the group was heading back to the helipad, according to Michael Roth, 71, owner of New York Helicopter, a business that offers aerial tours of the Big Apple. Roth informed The Telegraph this information.
Unfortunately, they didn’t make it.
“Never in my life have I seen anything like that.”
The tragic crash captured footage of the chopper flipping over in the sea close to Spring Street and the West Side Highway in Manhattan.
Witnesses reported that the aircraft crashed into the river after the tail and rotor blades seemed to separate in midair.
A witness reported hearing a bang “like a sonic boom” as the helicopter “split in two.” An additional onlooker reported that the impact “sounded like thunder” and that they saw “black particles flying” through the air.
BREAKING: Agustin Escobar, President and CEO of Siemens in Spain, along with his wife and their three children, were identified as the victims of the helicopter that plunged into the Hudson River in New York City on Thursday, according to the New York Post.
— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) April 11, 2025
The New York… pic.twitter.com/cGOiJWGFAx
In an interview with ABC News, another witness, Max, described the horrific crash and how he first heard about it before witnessing it himself.
It sounded like a sonic boom, so Max said, “I looked up and saw the helicopter splitting in two, the rotor flying off in the sky, it was going so fast, and it just went straight into the water.”
It must have simply sunk and nothing else surfaced. I stayed here until, about five minutes later, the police and other authorities began to arrive.
“Never in my life have I witnessed anything like that.”
Tragic specifics
Merce Camprubi Montal, Agustín Escobar, a Siemens executive from Barcelona, and their three young children, ages five, four, and eleven, have been identified as the victims of the sad helicopter crash in the Hudson River.
The incident happened when the family was celebrating one of their children’s birthdays in New York City, which they had just arrived for, according to the Spanish newspaper El Diario.
All those on board perished in the tragic end of the once-in-a-lifetime journey, which was intended to commemorate a child’s special day.
Escobar was the global CEO for train infrastructure and had been with Siemens for more than 27 years. He and his wife were both respected experts. The trip, which included a picturesque helicopter flight with views of the Statue of Liberty, was intended to be a happy family outing, and their kids, aged 4, 5, and 11, were travelling with them.
Siemens said in a statement that it was very sorry by the unfortunate helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Agustin Escobar and his family. Our deepest sympathies are with all of their loved ones.
Since 1977, 32 individuals have been killed.
The owner of the Bell 206 helicopter in the collision was Meridian Helicopters, a Louisiana-based business that specialises in aircraft sales, leasing, and refurbishment. The firm operating it was New York Helicopter, which has been providing excursions for almost thirty years.
“How this happened, I have no idea. All I can say is that we are inconsolable; my wife has been crying nonstop since this afternoon. Michael Roth, the CEO of New York Helicopter, stated, “We are a small company.” “As a father and a grandfather, we are absolutely devastated.”
Since 1977, helicopter crashes in New York have claimed the lives of at least 32 individuals, according to the Associated Press. In 2019, a business helicopter crashed into a Manhattan skyscraper’s roof, killing the pilot. This was the most recent incident.
A terrible disaster. It’s difficult to fathom the terror this family must have experienced at such a horrifying time.
They and everyone who knew them are in my thoughts and prayers. It serves as a sharp warning that things can change drastically.
