Six people, including three children, died when a sightseeing helicopter crashed into the Hudson River in New York on Thursday, news agency AFP reported, citing authorities.
A Siemens executive, his wife, and their three young children were on the tourist helicopter that crashed into the river, leaving no survivors.
The victims were identified as Siemens CEO Agustin Escobar, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their children, aged 4, 5, and 11, along with the 36-year-old pilot, according to law enforcement sources.
Two people were taken to hospital but later died from their injuries, officials said.
“At this time, all six victims have been removed from the water. And sadly, all six victims have been pronounced deceased,” Mayor Eric Adams told a briefing, after earlier calling it a “heartbreaking and tragic crash.”
Videos of the crash that went viral on social media showed parts of the chopper breaking off as it fell into the river.
BREAKING VIDEO: Moment of deadly helicopter crash in the Hudson river; 4 people were reportedly on-board
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) April 10, 2025
pic.twitter.com/UKjocg6dmb
The helicopter’s landing skids were visible sticking out of the river near a tunnel vent, as several boats gathered at the crash site. Police from both New York and New Jersey, along with fire department boats, responded quickly and reached the crash site.
“A Bell 206 helicopter crashed and is submerged in the Hudson River in New York City,” the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement. “The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate.”
Impact Shorts
View AllThe river is a busy shipping channel and was the scene of a dramatic 2009 incident when a US Airways jet safely landed in the water. All 155 people on board escaped with their lives in an event dubbed the “Miracle on the Hudson.”
“Three adults and three children were on board a Bell 206 helicopter that had left from the downtown Skyport at just about 3 pm,” Adams said, adding that the tourists were a family from Spain.
Police and fire service (FDNY) divers raced to pull survivors from the wreckage, he said.