A tragic helicopter crash occurred on Thursday afternoon, April 10, 2025, in New York City’s Hudson River, resulting in the deaths of all six individuals aboard, including a family of five visiting from Spain and the pilot aged 36.
Victims Identified
The victims were identified as Agustín Escobar, Global CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility; his wife, Mercè Camprubí Montal, Global Commercialization Manager at Siemens Energy; and their three children, aged 4, 5, and 11. The family had arrived in New York City from Barcelona for a vacation.
Escobar was named as an executive of Siemens’ division in Spain and Southwest Europe in 2022, according to a press release from the technology conglomerate.
The former head of Siemens’ Spanish arm, Miguel Ángel López, spoke highly of Escobar in the release, saying his work was “key” to the company’s success.
“With Agustín Escobar We have the best possible successor to lead, from now on, the company in Spain. In recent years his work has been key to Siemens’ success in the field of mobility and transport,” López said.
The identity of the pilot, who was flying the New York Helicopters chartered chopper, has not yet been released.
Circumstances of the Crash
The helicopter, a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV operated by New York Helicopter Tours, crashed into the Hudson River around 3:15 p.m. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a rotor blade detach mid-air before the aircraft plummeted near the Holland Tunnel. Emergency responders recovered four bodies at the scene, while two others, including the pilot, were pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Official Responses
New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed deep sorrow over the incident, praising the swift response of emergency teams. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy also released a statement offering condolences and support to the affected families.
Investigation Underway
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are conducting investigations to determine the cause of the crash. Preliminary reports suggest that a rotor blade detached mid-air, leading to the helicopter’s descent into the river.
Remembering the Victims
Friends and colleagues have remembered Agustín Escobar as a dedicated professional with a distinguished 25-year international career at Siemens. He was known for his calm demeanor and devotion to his family. The tragic loss of the Escobar family has deeply affected those who knew them.
