NEW YORK–A tragic helicopter crash in New York City has claimed the lives of six people, including a prominent Spanish business executive and his family. The devastating accident occurred on the afternoon of Thursday, April 10, when the aircraft went down in the Hudson River near Jersey City.
According to a report from PEOPLE Magazine and other media outlets, Agustín Escobar, the president of Siemens Spain, was aboard the helicopter with his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children. All five family members were killed, along with the yet-to-be-identified pilot.
The helicopter went down at approximately 3:15 p.m. local time, as confirmed by the New York City Police Department. The Hoboken Fire Department later verified that the crash occurred off the coast of Jersey City, on the New Jersey side of the river.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with authorities still working to determine what led to the fatal incident. Law enforcement officials have yet to disclose details regarding the helicopter’s flight path, possible mechanical issues, or weather-related complications.
A city official confirmed to PEOPLE the identities of the victims. Escobar had been a key figure at Siemens, leading operations for the global technology company in Spain. The family, originally from Spain, was believed to be visiting New York at the time of the accident.
Photos of the family shared by PEOPLE show a close-knit unit whose lives were tragically cut short. The publication also noted that it has reached out to Siemens for comment.
As the investigation continues, the tragic loss has reverberated both in Spain and internationally, especially within the Siemens corporate community. Friends, colleagues, and loved ones of the Escobar family are mourning the untimely loss of a respected leader and his family.
This heartbreaking incident adds to the history of aviation accidents in the region, and underscores the need for continued scrutiny of helicopter safety standards in metropolitan areas.
