A tragic helicopter crash in New York City on April 10, 2025, resulted in the loss of six lives, including those of Siemens executive Agustín Escobar, his wife, their three children, and the pilot. The incident occurred when a Bell 206 helicopter operated by New York Helicopter Tours crashed into the Hudson River. The family, visiting from Spain, was on a sightseeing tour when disaster struck. The helicopter, which took off from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport around 2:59 p.m., had flown along the southern part of Manhattan and circled the Statue of Liberty before turning north. Approximately 16 minutes into the flight, at 3:17 p.m., the helicopter experienced an in-flight breakup, causing it to fall at a 45-degree angle and crash upside-down into the Hudson River near Pier 40. Witnesses described seeing the helicopter “falling apart” in midair, with the tail and main rotor coming off.
Emergency responders arrived on the scene within minutes, pulling four people from the water, while two others were taken to local hospitals where they later succumbed to their injuries. The bodies of all six victims were eventually recovered from the river. The helicopter, which was submerged in the water, was hoisted out using a floating crane. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). While the exact reason for the accident remains unknown, initial reports suggest that the helicopter experienced a catastrophic mechanical failure. The weather at the time of the crash was gusty with thick cloud cover, although visibility was reportedly good.
The tragic incident has drawn widespread reactions and condolences. New York City Mayor Eric Adams described the crash as “heartbreaking and tragic,” while President Donald Trump called it “terrible” and offered his condolences to the victims’ families. Siemens also expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Agustín Escobar and his family, stating that they were “deeply saddened” by the tragedy. Agustín Escobar was the CEO of Siemens’ rail infrastructure division and had a distinguished career with the company. He was accompanied by his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children, aged 4, 5, and 11. The pilot, whose identity has not been released, was also killed in the crash.
