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The victims of the tragic helicopter accident in the Hudson River have begun to be identified, following the recovery of the aircraft from the waters situated between New York and New Jersey.
A family of five from Spain was involved in the incident, which occurred just 18 minutes into their sightseeing journey on Thursday afternoon. The deceased were recognized as Agustin Escobar, a senior executive at the German company Siemens, along with his wife, Merce Comprubi Montal, and their three young children. New York City Mayor Eric Adams shared that the children were aged 4, 8, and 10, and the family was in the city to celebrate their 8-year-old’s birthday, scheduled for Friday.
Mayor Adams expressed his condolences during an interview with Fox 5 New York, stating, “This was likely part of a typical tourist experience of viewing the city from above. Unfortunately, it resulted in a grim situation, and our thoughts are with the family.”
Agustin Escobar had been with Siemens for over 27 years, holding the position of global CEO for rail infrastructure. His wife was also part of the company, working as a global manager in another division.
In a statement released late at night, Siemens expressed its profound sorrow over the accident, remarking, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Agustin Escobar and his family. Our deepest sympathies extend to their loved ones.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez addressed the tragedy on social media, offering condolences to the bereaved families during this difficult time.
Authorities confirmed that the helicopter’s pilot was among the fatalities; however, the pilot’s identity has not yet been disclosed.
Details Surrounding the Hudson River Helicopter Crash
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation to ascertain the cause of the accident, with the NTSB expected to release an update soon.
The helicopter departed from the Wall Street heliport at 3 PM and was observed traveling north along Manhattan’s skyline before reversing direction toward the Statue of Liberty. According to city officials, the aircraft lost control shortly after takeoff, crashing into the water close to the New Jersey riverbank.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch detailed that the helicopter flew past the George Washington Bridge and made a turn south along the New Jersey coastline before losing stability and descending into the water near Pier A Park in Hoboken. Eyewitness accounts and cellphone footage showed the helicopter inverted as it fell, with reports indicating that the propeller blades were detached prior to impact.
Mayor Adams noted the prevalence of tourist flights in the area, asserting the general safety of helicopter travel, “We conduct thousands of tourist flights, and helicopters are generally considered safe.”
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy remarked on social media that at the time of the crash, the helicopter was not receiving air traffic control support due to its location in a special flight rules area, although it had been in communication with LaGuardia Airport before the incident.
The Bell 206 helicopter was owned by Meridian Helicopters, a company based in Louisiana that deals in the sales, leasing, and refurbishing of helicopters. The helicopter was operated by New York Helicopter, a company with a 28-year operational background.
Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopter, expressed his devastation over the incident, stating, “I don’t have answers about what led to this. My wife has been in tears since this afternoon. It’s a small company, and as a father and grandfather, this situation hits deeply.” Records from the NTSB indicate that New York Helicopter had only been involved in one other incident, a hard landing in 2015 due to a faulty component in a different aircraft leased from Meridian.
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