Sightseeing helicopter crash in New York City kills six, including Siemens Mobility executive Agustin Escobar and his family
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Last Thursday at 7:00 PM UTC, a sightseeing helicopter crashed into the Hudson River between New York City and New Jersey, claiming lives of family from Barcelona - Spanish Siemens Mobility executive Agustin Escobar, 49, his wife and three children aged four, five and eleven - and the pilot of the helicopter. The helicopter trip was intended to celebrate the middle child's birthday which was upcoming on Friday, April 11. The cause of the crash was not yet known.
A spokesperson for Siemens Mobility responded to the incident saying: "We are deeply saddened by the tragic helicopter crash in which Agustin Escobar and his family lost their lives. Our heartfelt condolences go out to all their loved ones."
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also expressed condolences, calling it "an unimaginable tragedy."
Authorities said the helicopter took off from Downtown Skyport in Lower Manhattan. The event remained under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.
Escobar has served as global CEO of rail infrastructure at Siemens Mobility at the time of his death. He had previously served as CEO of Siemens Spain. Mercè Camprubi Montal, his wife, served as communications manager at Siemens Energy, a separate company; Siemens is a German multinational tech conglomerate.
Sources
[edit]- Joseph Wilson. "Doomed NYC helicopter flight was son's birthday treat" — Canberra Times, April 13, 2025
- Elizabeth Crisp. "Siemens executive, family killed in Hudson River helicopter crash" — The Hill, April 11, 2025
- Guy Hedgecoe. "Spanish couple killed in helicopter crash were corporate aristocracy" — BBC, April 11, 2025