The five Spanish passengers who died in a helicopter crash in the Hudson River were all part of a globetrotting family which had made its mark in the corporate world as well as having close ties to one of Europe’s biggest football clubs.
Agustín Escobar and Mercè Camprubí Montal died with their three children, reported to be aged four, five and 11. The pilot of the helicopter also died.
Escobar was named as an executive of Siemens’ division in Spain and Southwest Europe in 2022, according to a press release from the technology conglomerate.
The former head of Siemens’ Spanish arm, Miguel Ángel López, spoke highly of Escobar in the release, saying his work was “key” to the company’s success.
“With Agustín Escobar We have the best possible successor to lead, from now on, the company in Spain. In recent years his work has been key to Siemens’ success in the field of mobility and transport,” López said.
The identity of the pilot, who was flying the New York Helicopters chartered chopper, has not yet been released.
The family was visiting New York City from Barcelona, Spain
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said in a post to X that the news was “devastating.” He added, “Five Spaniards from the same family, three of them children, and the pilot have lost their lives. An unimaginable tragedy. I sympathize with the victims’ loved ones at this heartbreaking time.”
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating what led to the deadly incident.
The crash occurred at 3:17 p.m. off the coast of River Drive in Hoboken, New Jersey, just over 15 minutes after it departed from the Wall St. Heliport, officials said during a press briefing on Thursday. The helicopter reached the George Washington Bridge before turning south and crashing, officials said.
“Our hearts go out to the family and those on board,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said during the briefing.
The chopper — identified by the Federal Aviation Administration as a Bell 206 helicopter — was on its sixth flight of the day. It was found upside-down in the 50-degree water when rescuers arrived at the scene, officials said.
