Siemens Mobility CEO and Family Die in Hudson River Helicopter Crash

A sightseeing helicopter crash in New York City's Hudson River on Thursday claimed the lives of six people, including a prominent Siemens executive, his wife, and their three young children.

The tragedy has left both the local and international communities in mourning as investigators work to determine the cause of the disaster.

Agustín Escobar, CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility and former president of Siemens Spain, was aboard the Bell 206 helicopter with his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their children, aged 4, 5, and 11.

The family had recently arrived in New York from Barcelona for a visit. The pilot of the helicopter, whose identity has not yet been released, also perished in the crash.

The incident occurred at approximately 3:15 p.m., shortly after the helicopter departed from Manhattan’s Wall Street Heliport.

Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft lose control near the George Washington Bridge before tumbling end over end and crashing into the icy waters of the Hudson River near Jersey City.

Some described hearing a loud explosion and noted that the helicopter appeared to be missing its rotor blades as it descended.

Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene, where they found the helicopter submerged and upside down. Despite rescue efforts, all six occupants were pronounced dead, with two victims succumbing to their injuries after being pulled from the water.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his condolences on social media, calling the incident “an unimaginable tragedy.” Christoph Erhard, head of corporate media relations for Siemens, also issued a statement mourning the loss of Escobar and his family: “We are profoundly saddened by this heartbreaking event. Our deepest sympathies go out to their relatives.”

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the crash. Initial reports suggest mechanical failure may have played a role, with witnesses citing possible rotor blade detachment mid-flight.

Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopter—the company operating the ill-fated flight—described the incident as unprecedented in his three decades in aviation.

The Bell 206 helicopter was conducting its sixth sightseeing tour of the day when it crashed. Officials confirmed that weather conditions were gusty at the time but have not yet determined if they contributed to the accident.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams called the crash "heartbreaking" and extended his sympathies to the victims’ families during a press briefing. Governor Kathy Hochul echoed these sentiments, pledging support for recovery efforts while emphasizing safety concerns for future operations.