Tragedy Strikes: Spanish Family Among Victims of New York Helicopter Crash
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the friends and relatives of a Spanish family who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash in the Hudson River, New York, on Thursday. The incident claimed the lives of all onboard, including the pilot.
The victims have been identified as Agustín Escobar, his wife Mercè Camprubí, and their three children, aged 11, 5, and 4. As of now, the identity of the pilot remains undisclosed. According to reports, the sightseeing helicopter broke apart while in midair, crashing upside down into the Hudson River between Manhattan and the New Jersey waterfront just after 3 PM ET. Emergency crews promptly responded to the scene.
Social media footage revealed the helicopter mostly submerged in the water, with rescue vehicles crowding the streets as emergency personnel rushed to save those inside. In a statement posted on X on Friday, Prime Minister Sánchez expressed his sorrow, stating, "We have had devastating news about the helicopter accident in the River Hudson. Five Spaniards from the same family, three of them children, lost their lives along with the pilot. It's an unimaginable tragedy. I share the pain of the victims' loved ones in this heartbreaking moment."
Spain's Transport Minister, Oscar Puente, also paid tribute to the victims, sharing his shock at discovering that Agustín Escobar and his family were involved in the accident. Describing Escobar, Puente stated, "He was a charming, hardworking, and talented person," recalling their encounters over the past year in Escobar's role with Siemens Spain.
Siemens, the German industrial conglomerate, confirmed Escobar's position as head of rail infrastructure in their mobility division and expressed deep sorrow over the family's loss in a statement. Camprubí was recognized as a global manager at an energy technology company.
New York Mayor Eric Adams confirmed during a news conference that six individuals were pronounced dead, including three children and three adults. Mayor Adams extended his thoughts to the crash victims and their families. An ongoing investigation is working to determine the cause of the tragic event.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch mentioned that most passengers were already deceased when they were retrieved from the water, although two people were transported to a nearby hospital only to die shortly after.
The Bell 206 helicopter, operated by New York Helicopter Tours, took off from a downtown helicopter pad around 3 PM, flying north over the Hudson River. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft behave erratically shortly before it crashed. Bruce Wall, a witness, described seeing the helicopter disintegrate in mid-flight, with its tail and propeller detaching. Lesly Camacho, a hostess at a Hoboken restaurant, commented that she saw the helicopter spinning out of control before it plunged into the water.
This tragic incident has left many in shock and mourning, as community members come together to remember the lives lost in this devastating accident.
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