by A tragic helicopter crash in New York City’s Hudson River has claimed the lives of a Spanish family of five and their pilot. The victims include Agustín Escobar, a high-ranking executive at Siemens Mobility, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, also a Siemens executive, and their three children, aged 4, 8, and 10. The family had traveled from Barcelona to New York to celebrate their middle child’s upcoming 9th birthday.
Mercè Camprubí Montal had significant ties to FC Barcelona, being the granddaughter of Agustí Montal Costa, who served as the club’s president from 1969 to 1977. During his tenure, Montal Costa was instrumental in signing football legend Johan Cruyff and modernizing the club.
The helicopter, a Bell 206 operated by New York Helicopter Tours, took off around 3 p.m. for a sightseeing tour but crashed minutes later into the Hudson River near Jersey City. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the rotor blades detach before the crash. The cause is currently under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Emergency responders recovered all six victims from the river, with rescue and life-saving efforts initiated immediately. Four victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries at the hospital.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his condolences, calling the incident an “unimaginable tragedy.” The loss has deeply affected the Barcelona community, with classmates and the Jesuits of Sant Ignasi school holding emotional vigils in memory of the family.
The crash has raised concerns about helicopter traffic near Manhattan, recalling a similar incident in 2011. Authorities are working to determine the cause and prevent future tragedies.
