A scenic flight above Manhattan turned tragic within minutes — a moment captured on video — prompting urgent questions and an international investigation.
The helicopter, carrying a Spanish family of five and their pilot, crashed into the Hudson River Thursday afternoon, killing all six people on board.
Authorities identified the victims as Agustin Escobar, a senior executive with European automation company Siemens; his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal; and their children, ages 4, 5, and 11. The family, originally from Barcelona, was visiting New York on vacation. The 36-year-old pilot also died, though officials have not released his name.
The crash near Lower Manhattan prompted a swift emergency response and launched an international investigation into what caused the flight to go catastrophically wrong.
Operated by New York Helicopters, the aircraft departed from the Wall Street Heliport and went down at approximately 3:17 p.m. near Hoboken, New Jersey. Officials said it traveled north toward the George Washington Bridge before suddenly turning south and descending rapidly into the river.
Eyewitness video captured the helicopter spiraling in a tilted, nose-down descent. It showed no signs of stabilizing before impact, pointing to a possible mechanical failure or sudden loss of control. The aircraft crashed close to the shoreline, where bystanders immediately alerted authorities.
“Our hearts go out to the family and those on board,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams during a press briefing. The investigation remains ongoing.
