The tragic helicopter crash that shocked New York City on Thursday afternoon claimed six lives, including a prominent figure in Spain’s business landscape: Agustin Escobar, CEO of Siemens Spain. The sightseeing chopper, a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV, plunged into the Hudson River around 3:15 p.m., according to local authorities. Escobar, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three young children—ages 4, 5, and 11—were aboard the aircraft for a tourist flight shortly after arriving from Barcelona that same morning.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing parts of the helicopter detach midair. Four victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while the remaining two, including the pilot, succumbed to their injuries at the hospital.
Who was Agustin Escobar?
Agustin Escobar was a respected executive in the international technology and infrastructure industry. An industrial engineer by training from Universidad Pontificia Comillas de Madrid (ICAI), Escobar also held an Executive MBA from IE Business School and an MBA from Universidad de Alcalá. His career spanned over 25 years with Siemens, where he led various divisions around the globe—including in North America, Latin America, Spain, and Germany.
Before becoming the CEO of Siemens Spain in 2022, Escobar served in several top roles. He was CEO of Siemens Mobility in Spain and later in Southern Europe, and held executive leadership positions in Energy Management and Infrastructure & Cities in Latin America. At the time of his death, he was also the Global CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, a position he had held since October.
“His work has been key to Siemens’ success in the field of mobility and transport,” said Miguel Ángel López, his predecessor. Siemens recognized Escobar not just for his leadership but for his vision in shaping modern mobility systems.
ALSO READ. Were you hooked on Adolescence? These are the similar series you can find on Netflix
The Escobar family had just arrived in New York City from Barcelona and opted to take a sightseeing tour to view the skyline and the Statue of Liberty. The tour, provided by New York Helicopter Tours, was supposed to last 15–20 minutes and cost approximately $400 for the family. One of the children was celebrating a birthday, making the flight even more significant for the family.
Images released by the company show the family smiling and bundled up, posing in front of the Bell 206 helicopter moments before the flight. Those photos, now circulating widely online, are a painful reminder of the joy that preceded the tragedy.
What is known about the Bell 206 helicopter?
The Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV involved in the crash had a checkered history. Operated by New York Helicopter Tours, the aircraft had previously experienced mechanical failures. According to federal aviation records, it had suffered a serious malfunction in Chile in 2010 and another incident in New Jersey in 2015, both related to the use of “unairworthy replacement parts.”
New York Helicopter Tours, the operator, has had prior incidents, including an emergency water landing in 2013. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2019, citing financial losses stemming from city-imposed restrictions on tourism flights due to noise concerns.
The main rotor and tail boom separated mid-air. Rotor blades were fully detached from the fuselage but continued spinning as they fell.#HudsonRiver #HelicopterCrash #Breaking pic.twitter.com/xrMUQ5SMRr
— Turbine Traveller (@Turbinetraveler) April 10, 2025
What are officials saying about the NYC helicopter crash?
New York Governor Kathy Hochul lamented the loss: “Six innocent lives were lost.” New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that the victims included “a Spanish family of five and the pilot.” The crash site, near Tribeca, was secured by rescue teams who managed to recover all six individuals from the frigid Hudson River waters—just seven degrees Celsius at the time.
Jessica Tisch, NYPD Commissioner, stated that the helicopter was inverted when it struck the water and likely experienced a major technical failure mid-flight. Videos posted by witnesses online show debris detaching from the aircraft moments before it plummeted.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently leading the investigation. They are analyzing the maintenance records of the helicopter and interviewing witnesses. The aircraft had been leased by New York Helicopter from Meridian Helicopters, a company based in Louisiana.
This incident is the deadliest civilian helicopter crash in NYC since 2018, when five tourists were killed in the East River. It has reignited concerns about the safety of aerial tourism in dense urban areas. The Hudson River helicopter crash underscores the need for stricter oversight and transparency in aviation maintenance.
⇒ SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CONTENT ON GOOGLE NEWS
