Family of Five from Barcelona Killed in NYC Helicopter Crash

A family of five arriving from Barcelona to New York City was killed Thursday after their helicopter ride crashed in the Hudson River. The family, Agustin Escobar, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three kids — ages 4, 5, and 11– were in New York City to celebrate one of their children's birthdays and had just arrived from Barcelona, Spain. Escober was the global CEO of rail infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, while his wife was a global commercialization manager at Siemens Energy, according to her LinkedIn profile. Her grandfather, Agustí Montal Costa, was a former president of the FC Barcelona soccer club.

The pilot, who still remains unidentified, was also killed and had radioed to the base to warn that they were running out of fuel moments after takeoff. 

Footage of the crash posted to social media shows the chopper the moment it plummeted into the Hudson River, which witnesses recalled hearing a "boom impact" when the helicopter's rotors spun separately out of control into the river.

All passengers on board passed away when this helicopter broke into pieces and fell out of the sky. Victims include a family on vacation with their children taking a tour of Manhattan. Oh my heart. Hug your babies. Nothing is promised. pic.twitter.com/GpusSV0gPQ

— The Redheaded libertarian (@TRHLofficial) April 10, 2025

The crash took place near Pier 40 on West Houston Street and West Street around 3:15 p.m., just 16 minutes after takeoff from the Wall Street heliport. Photos of the family posted on the New York Helicopter Tours website show them smiling prior to the crash.

"It's devastation," New York Helicopter Tours CEO Michael Roth told the New York Post. "I'm a father and a grandfather, and to have children on there, I'm devastated. I'm absolutely devastated.

"The only thing I know by watching a video of the helicopter falling down is that the main rotor blades weren't on the helicopter," he went on.

"And I haven't seen anything like that in my 30 years being in business, in the helicopter business. The only thing I could guess — I got no clue — is that it either had a bird strike or the main rotor blades failed. I have no clue. I don't know.

"This is horrific," Roth added. "But you gotta remember something, these are machines and they break."

President Donald Trump also addressed the crash, calling the incident "terrible."

"Terrible crash," he wrote on Truth Social. "The video of the accident is horrific. God bless the families and friends of the victims," he added, in part.

WATCH: Deadly NYC Helicopter Crash into Hudson River, New Details of Tourism Company Involved

A Prayer for the Escobar Family and All Affected by the Hudson Helicopter Crash

Heavenly Father,
We come to You with heavy hearts, grieving the loss of the Escobar family and their pilot. Lord, You are near to the brokenhearted, and we ask You now to surround the loved ones left behind with Your comfort and peace that surpasses all understanding. Hold them close in their anguish, and remind them that even in the darkest moments, You are still present.
We lift up the families and friends who are mourning this devastating tragedy. Wrap them in Your love, ease their pain, and bring healing in time. Lord, we also pray for wisdom and clarity for those investigating the accident—may the truth come to light and justice and safety be upheld.
Though we don’t understand why such heartbreaking events happen, we trust in Your goodness and ask that You bring beauty even from ashes. May their memory be a blessing, and may their lives inspire us to cherish each moment with those we love.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.

Originally published April 11, 2025.