A tragic helicopter crash in the Hudson River claimed the lives of six people on Thursday, including three children, all members of a family from Spain. The New York Helicopters chartered chopper, carrying a pilot, two adults, and three young children, crashed into the river near Lower Manhattan in the afternoon, officials confirmed.
The victims were identified as Agustin Escobar, an executive with Siemens, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their children—aged 4, 5, and 11. The pilot, a 36-year-old man, also perished in the crash.
The helicopter had taken off from the Wall St. Heliport at around 3 p.m. and was en route to the George Washington Bridge when it suddenly veered off course and plunged into the water near Hoboken, New Jersey, approximately 15 minutes later. Authorities stated the helicopter fell into the water inverted, missing its tail rotor and main rotor blade.
The family, who were residents of Barcelona, Spain, was reportedly on a sightseeing trip when the tragic accident occurred. In response to the incident, New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed his condolences, saying, "Our hearts go out to the family and those on board."
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Witnesses described the scene, with one local resident, Dani Horbiak, recalling hearing loud noises before watching the helicopter plummet from her apartment window.
Jersey City Medical Center, where the victims were initially transported, confirmed their efforts to save the passengers, though unfortunately, all were declared dead. The footage of the incident, which has since circulated on social media, has been described as "horrendous," with former President Donald Trump sharing his thoughts on the tragedy.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)