A family’s joyful vacation turned to unimaginable tragedy when their helicopter crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday, claiming the lives of all five family members.
Beaming with excitement in the cockpit of a helicopter, an eight-year-old girl from Spain was preparing to celebrate her ninth birthday with a thrilling tour over New York City’s iconic skyline. Moments before takeoff, she posed proudly for a photo, surrounded by her parents and siblings.
Tragically, just 16 minutes into the flight, the helicopter plummeted into the Hudson River at around 3:15 p.m., leaving no survivors.
The young girl, along with her ten-year-old and four-year-old siblings, lost their lives in the crash. Their parents, Agustin Escobar and Merce Camprubi Montal, also perished. The family, who had arrived from Barcelona to mark the dual celebrations of the daughter’s birthday and reportedly Merce’s 40th birthday, had embarked on what was meant to be an unforgettable sightseeing tour of the city.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the ages of the children and expressed his condolences:
“It was a real unfortunate situation. Our hearts go out to the family members.”
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop added that the family had extended their trip to enjoy New York a little longer, noting they were celebrating Merce’s milestone birthday with the helicopter ride.
The sequence of events leading to the crash is still under investigation, but early reports suggest that new footage may provide crucial insights into what caused the deadly accident.
A Family Remembered
Agustin Escobar was a distinguished executive with Siemens, serving as the global CEO for rail infrastructure at Siemens Mobility. With over 27 years at the company, Escobar was well-respected in the field of sustainable rail systems. In late 2022, he briefly held the role of president and CEO of Siemens Spain.
In a heartfelt post about his professional journey, he credited his family as his “endless source of energy and happiness” and thanked them for their unwavering support.
His wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, was a dedicated professional at Siemens Energy in Barcelona, working as a global commercialization manager and digitalization manager over her seven-year tenure.
The family, residing in Barcelona, was described as vibrant and deeply loved by friends and colleagues alike. Regional leaders in Spain have publicly mourned their loss.
Salvador Illa, President of Catalonia, expressed his condolences:
“Dismayed by the tragic helicopter accident in the Hudson River in New York which cost the lives of six people, five of which were members of a Barcelona family.”
Agustin Escobar, originally from Puertollano in central Spain, was also remembered by Emiliano García-Page, President of Castilla-La Mancha, who noted:
“Agustín is a native of Puertollano and in 2023 we named him a Favorite Son of Castilla-La Mancha.”
A History of Tragedies
The skies over the Hudson River are busy with both aircraft and tourist helicopters, making it a popular yet risky area for air tours. New York City’s Manhattan heliports frequently serve business executives and tourists alike.
Sadly, this is not the first incident of its kind. At least 32 people have died in helicopter accidents in the city since 1977. The most recent fatal crash prior to this occurred in 2018.
As investigations continue, the world mourns the loss of a family whose bright futures were tragically cut short during what should have been a joyful celebration.