A sightseeing helicopter tour over Manhattan turned into a devastating tragedy within minutes—an incident partially caught on video—that has now sparked serious questions and an international investigation.
The helicopter, which was carrying a Spanish family of five along with their pilot, crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday afternoon, leaving all six occupants dead.
Authorities identified the victims as Agustin Escobar, a senior executive at European automation firm Siemens; his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal; and their three children, ages 4, 5, and 11. The family, originally from Barcelona, was vacationing in New York at the time. The 36-year-old pilot was also killed, although officials have not yet released his name.
The fatal crash, which occurred near Lower Manhattan, prompted an immediate emergency response and launched a global inquiry into what led the flight to end so abruptly and fatally.
The helicopter, operated by New York Helicopters, had departed from the Wall Street Heliport and went down at approximately 3:17 p.m. near Hoboken, New Jersey. According to authorities, the aircraft initially headed north toward the George Washington Bridge before unexpectedly turning south and dropping rapidly into the Hudson.
Footage recorded by a witness showed the helicopter spiraling with a steep, nose-down tilt. The aircraft never appeared to regain control before hitting the water, suggesting either a mechanical failure or sudden loss of flight stability. It came down close to the shoreline, where witnesses quickly contacted emergency services.
“Our hearts go out to the family and those on board,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams during a press briefing. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
