Hudson River Helicopter Crash Kills 6, Including Siemens CEO and Family
In a tragic incident on Thursday afternoon, a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near Hoboken, New Jersey, killing six people, including Siemens Spain CEO Agustín Escobar, his wife, and their three children. The pilot also perished in the accident.
According to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the family was visiting from Spain when the helicopter went down. The crash occurred at approximately 3:17 p.m. (local time), with emergency services receiving multiple 911 calls reporting a helicopter in distress near Pier A Park.
“Four victims died on the spot. Two others were transported to a nearby hospital but succumbed to their injuries shortly after,” said New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch. She added that NYPD officers rescued four people from the water, while FDNY personnel recovered two more.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified the downed helicopter as a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV, manufactured in 2004. The aircraft had a valid airworthiness certificate issued in 2016, according to FAA records.
Viral videos shared on social media platform X captured the chilling moments before the crash. Some clips show the helicopter spinning in mid-air before plummeting into the river, sparking widespread concern and grief.
Former US President Donald Trump commented on the tragedy via Truth Social, stating: “Terrible helicopter crash in the Hudson River. Looks like six people, the pilot, two adults, and three children, are no longer with us. The footage of the accident is horrendous. God bless the families and friends of the victims. Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, and his talented staff are on it.”
Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are expected to release an initial report soon. Flight tracking site FlightRadar24 confirmed the helicopter’s last location and identified it as the aircraft involved in the incident.
The deaths of Agustín Escobar and his family have prompted condolences from corporate and diplomatic circles across Europe and the US. Siemens has not yet issued an official statement but is expected to do so in the coming hours.
