A devastating tragedy unfolded Thursday, April 10th, when a sightseeing helicopter carrying a Spanish family and their pilot plunged into the Hudson River, killing all six onboard. Among the victims were Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three young children, ages 4, 5, and 11.

The family had just arrived in New York City from Barcelona to celebrate one of their children’s birthdays. They chose to mark the special occasion with a scenic helicopter tour over Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. Heart-wrenching photos posted before the flight showed the family smiling in front of the Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV helicopter, eager for the adventure that was to come.

According to officials, the helicopter took off from Manhattan’s downtown heliport at 2:59 p.m. and flew north to the George Washington Bridge before turning south along the New Jersey shoreline. At 3:08 p.m., the pilot radioed the base to report that the aircraft was running low on fuel. Mere minutes later, around 3:15 p.m., the helicopter lost control, inverted, and plummeted into the frigid waters between New York and New Jersey, just feet off the Hoboken shoreline.

Witnesses described a “boom sound” at the moment of impact, and harrowing footage showed the fuselage breaking apart midair before crashing upside down into the river. Parts of the helicopter’s rotor system were seen spinning separately into the water.

NYPD and FDNY divers responded within minutes, pulling four victims from the wreckage, while two others were recovered soon after. Four people were pronounced dead at the scene, and the remaining two were pronounced dead at local hospitals.

“It’s heartbreaking to everyone,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said during a press conference. “You’re on vacation, you’re with your family, you want to experience New York from the sky, and something like this happens.”

Officials confirmed there were no known adverse weather conditions at the time of the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have launched investigations. Jennifer Homendy, chair of the NTSB, announced that a “go-team” was immediately dispatched to the scene.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted on social media that the helicopter was operating in the Special Flight Rules Area over New York, meaning it was flying without direct air traffic control services at the time of the crash. “We pray for the victims and their families,” Duffy wrote, adding that a Safety Review Team would be convened to assess the incident.

New York Helicopter Tours CEO Michael Roth, visibly shaken, told The New York Post, “It’s devastation. I’m a father and a grandfather and to have children on there, I’m devastated. I’m absolutely devastated.” Roth also noted he had “never seen anything like that” in his 30 years in the business, speculating that either a bird strike or a main rotor failure could be to blame.

As rescue and recovery efforts stretched into the night, the Coast Guard established a safety zone around the crash site, less than a mile from the bustling Holland Tunnel. The Army Corps of Engineers worked to salvage the helicopter wreckage by late Thursday evening.

President Donald Trump also extended his condolences, calling the incident “terrible” and praying for the families affected.

Escobar, who had worked at Siemens for over 27 years, served as the Global CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, while his wife held a senior role at Siemens Energy. Her distinguished family background included her grandfather Agustí Montal Costa, former president of FC Barcelona.

The unimaginable loss of an entire young family, visiting New York to celebrate a joyous milestone, has touched hearts around the world. In times of such profound sorrow, we turn to God for comfort and peace.

Heavenly Father, in this time of immense grief, we lift up to You the souls of Agustin, Merce, their precious children, and the pilot who perished. We ask that You surround their loved ones with Your infinite love and comfort. Give strength to the brokenhearted, wisdom to those investigating the cause, and peace to all who mourn this heartbreaking loss. In Jesus’ name, Amen.