A tour helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near NYC after the pilot reportedly warned it was running out of fuel. All six on board died, including Agustín Escobar, Siemens Spain president, his wife, and three children. The crash happened around 3:15 p.m., just 17 minutes after takeoff. The helicopter was low on fuel, according to the tour company owner.
“He [the pilot] called in that he was landing and that he needed fuel, and it should have taken him about three minutes to arrive, but 20 minutes later, he didn’t arrive,” Roth said.
He added that his phone started receiving a flood of messages before another pilot flew over the Hudson and spotted the helicopter overturned in the water.
“We’re all devastated. Every employee in our company is devastated. My wife has not stopped crying.”
A tragic helicopter crash near Pier 40 claimed the lives of six people, including Spanish Siemens executive Fernando Escobar, an adult relative, three children, and the pilot. Heartbreaking photos showed the family moments before the flight.
Witnesses described the aircraft as splitting mid-air before crashing, with some hearing a loud “sonic boom.” The helicopter was operated by New York Helicopter and identified as a Bell 206L-4. Authorities confirmed all passengers on board were killed.
Escobar, CEO of Siemens Spain, had a long career in the energy sector and was also vice president of the German Chamber of Commerce in Spain.
A helicopter crashed into the water after a 16-minute flight from Wall Street Heliport, circling near the Statue of Liberty and flying up the Hudson River. The cause of the crash is still unknown.
Dramatic footage showed the helicopter sinking as emergency crews responded. Four people died at the scene, and two others later died in the hospital, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
Authorities are now focused on recovering the wreckage. The Spanish Consulate is assisting, as some victims may be Spanish citizens. Weather conditions were cloudy and windy, with good visibility at the time.
Witnesses reported the helicopter flying erratically before it went down, with some parts seen breaking off mid-air.
“Our hearts go out to the families of those who were onboard,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “All six have been removed from the water, and sadly all six victims have been pronounced deceased.”
Anna had been out walking her rescue dog Archie along the West Side Highway in the rain when she noticed flashing lights and emergency crews gathered across the river on the New Jersey side.
“I saw the helicopter submerged in the water and then there was a lot of commotion,” she told DailyMail.com.
Another witness recalled: “One of my children said, ‘what’s that sound?’ I told him I didn’t know. My other child said, ‘Do you think it was an earthquake?’ I said, ‘no we would feel it.’
“My other child asked, ‘Do you think a building pancaked?’”
One eyewitness told ABC that the crash “sounded like a sonic boom,” and when he looked up, he saw the helicopter “splitting in two.”
“It was going so fast and it just went straight into the water… I’ve never seen anything like that in my life,” he added.
Another bystander told the outlet: “I heard a loud snap… I looked over… and I could see a helicopter falling on its side and splash into the water. I didn’t see anyone come out.”
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop stated that the Jersey City Police Department is currently leading the investigation until officials from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) arrive on the scene.
The skies above the area are frequently busy with planes and helicopters, serving a mix of private, commercial, recreational, and tourist flights.
Manhattan is home to several helipads, often used by various individuals—including business executives—for quick travel across the Metropolitan area.
Since 1977, at least 32 people have lost their lives in helicopter crashes in New York City.
The most recent fatal crash occurred in 2018, when a helicopter went down in the East River, resulting in the deaths of all five passengers on board.
According to the NTSB, the crash on March 11, 2018, happened after the aircraft’s tail inadvertently pulled the fuel shutoff lever.
Tragically, all passengers drowned. The victims were identified as Daniel Thompson, 34; Tristian Hill, 29; Trevor Cadigan, 26; Brian McDaniel, 26; and Carla Vallejos-Blanco, 29.