Photo: Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images News / Getty Images
A sightseeing helicopter crash in New York City on Thursday (April 10) claimed the lives of a Spanish Siemens executive, his wife, and their three children. The helicopter, which took off from a Manhattan heliport, crashed into the Hudson River about 16 minutes into its flight. The victims were identified as Agustín Escobar, 49, CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, his wife, Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their children. The family was visiting New York from Spain to celebrate Camprubí's 40th birthday. The crash also claimed the life of the pilot, who was identified by Gothamist as 36-year-old Sean Johnson, a former Navy SEAL.
The helicopter followed a popular route, circling the Statue of Liberty and flying along the Hudson River before crashing near the New Jersey shoreline. Witnesses described the helicopter flipping and spiraling before hitting the water. A video obtained by CNN showed the rotor blades detaching from the helicopter midair.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with visibility reported at 10 miles and cloudy weather with gusty winds at the time. New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the helicopter lost control shortly after reaching the George Washington Bridge.
Siemens Mobility and Siemens Energy expressed their condolences, with Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez calling the incident "an unimaginable tragedy." Camprubí was known in Spain for her ties to FC Barcelona, as her grandfather and great-grandfather both served as presidents of the soccer club.
The helicopter's operator had previous safety incidents, including a forced landing in 2015 due to potential corrosion issues. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.