Agustín Escobar, Merce Camprubi Montal Obituary, Death News – A tragic helicopter crash in New York City’s Hudson River on Thursday claimed the lives of a Spanish couple and their three young children. Authorities have confirmed the identities of the victims as Agustín Escobar, the CEO of the German technology company Siemens, and his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal. The family was on a tourist helicopter flight when the disaster occurred, and all six individuals on board perished. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
According to NBC News, the helicopter, a Bell 206, appeared to break apart mid-air before plunging into the river. While the names of the children, who were reported to be under 11 years old, have not been officially released, it was confirmed that they were the children of Escobar and Montal. The name of the pilot who also died in the crash has not yet been disclosed.
Escobar had traveled to New York City on a business trip and had brought his family with him to celebrate Montal’s 40th birthday. The family took the helicopter tour on Thursday to mark the occasion, with reports indicating that the trip was also meant to celebrate one of the children’s birthdays. According to Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, the children were all very young, aged 11 and under. Spanish newspaper El Diario reported that the birthday celebration was for one of the children, but specific details have not been confirmed.
Witnesses to the horrific incident described the shocking sequence of events. A video shared on social media captured the moment the helicopter appeared to lose its propellers before it plummeted toward the river. The footage showed the aircraft falling from the sky in pieces. Witnesses reported hearing a loud boom before watching the helicopter break apart mid-air. One witness told ABC News that she heard a series of loud bangs that sounded like gunshots before seeing the helicopter break apart, with debris falling before the aircraft crashed into the water.
Authorities responded quickly to the crash and managed to recover all six bodies from the Hudson River on Thursday evening. Four of the victims were confirmed dead at the scene, while two others were transported to the hospital, where they were later pronounced dead. Later that evening, the helicopter wreckage was removed from the river.
Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopter Tours, shared further details, saying that the pilot had contacted the company before the crash, reporting that he needed to refuel and was praring to return. According to Roth, the pilot had said it would take him about three minutes to return, but after 20 minutes, there was no sign of the helicopter. Roth expressed his devastation over the incident, calling it a tragedy.
The crash has prompted an outpouring of grief from both the United States and Spain. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the crash as an “unimaginable tragedy,” reflecting the deep sorrow felt by the Spanish public. In the U.S., President Donald Trump also expressed his condolences, posting on Truth Social, “The footage of the accident is horrendous. God bless the families and friends of the victims.” He added that the Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, and his team were investigating the incident, and further updates on the cause of the crash would be forthcoming.
As the investigation continues, questions remain about the cause of the crash. While some witnesses reported hearing unusual noises before the helicopter fell, authorities have not yet provided details on what might have caused the aircraft to break apart. The condition of the helicopter and its mechanical systems will likely be a focus of the investigation, as well as any potential issues with the pilot’s communication prior to the crash.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of helicopter tours in the city, with many questioning whether safety protocols and maintenance procedures are sufficient to prevent such tragedies. New York Helicopter Tours has faced scrutiny over the years due to incidents involving crashes and safety concerns. The company’s CEO, Michael Roth, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, saying, “We’re all devastated,” underscoring the emotional toll the tragedy has had on all those involved.
The crash also highlights the risks of helicopter tourism, which has become a popular activity for both locals and visitors to New York City. While helicopter tours offer breathtaking views of the city, they also come with inherent risks, particularly in crowded airspace where many helicopters operate. The fatal incident underscores the importance of maintaining strict safety standards for such operations to prevent further accidents.
The families of the victims are now left to grieve the sudden loss of their loved ones. Agustín Escobar and Merce Camprubi Montal’s families, along with their friends, are mourning the loss of a husband, wife, and parents, as well as the deaths of their three young children. The tragedy has deeply impacted the community, and tributes have been pouring in from all over the world.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to piece together the details of the crash, hoping to understand what went wrong and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The investigation will likely involve examining flight data, aircraft maintenance records, and the condition of the helicopter before it took off. The findings will be crucial in determining whether there were any lapses in safety protocols or mechanical failures that contributed to the crash.
For now, the families of the victims are left to mourn their loss, while the investigation proceeds to uncover the cause of the devastating helicopter crash in the Hudson River.
