Watch Tragic Helicopter Crash Claims Six Lives in Hudson River

In a heart-wrenching incident, a helicopter crash over the Hudson River claimed the lives of six people on Thursday, including a family of five from Spain and their pilot. The tragedy has left many grieving as investigations continue to unravel how it all happened.

Victims and Reactions

The victims, identified as Agustín Escobar, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their three children aged 4, 5, and 11, were well-known figures in their hometown of Barcelona. Both parents worked as executives at Siemens, a major multinational company. The incident has sent shockwaves through their community and beyond.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed his condolences, stating, “Our hearts go out to the families.” Likewise, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and regional leader Salvador Illa both shared their grief and solidarity with the bereaved family. Siemens also issued a statement expressing deep sadness over the loss of their valued employees and their family.

Crash Details

The helicopter was operated by New York Helicopters and took off from the Downtown Skyport in Manhattan at 2:59 PM local time. Tragedy struck shortly after 3:00 PM as the helicopter encountered trouble near the George Washington Bridge. From there, it spiraled out of control and crashed into the Hudson River.

Eyewitnesses described the horrific scene. Jenn Lynk, a resident of Jersey City, said she initially thought nothing of the situation until she heard sirens and saw people reacting to the shocking crash. Another witness, Ipsitaa Banigrhi, mentioned that the crash sounded “like thunder” and saw black particles flying through the air.

Efforts and Rescue Operations

When the crash occurred, emergency services were immediately alerted, with the first calls coming in around 3:17 PM. According to New York Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker, rescue boats were dispatched right away. “Swimmers were in the water shortly after the call,” he said. Despite their rapid response, efforts to save the victims were unsuccessful. Four were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries at a nearby hospital.

Ongoing Investigation and Historical Context

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has handed over the investigation to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), focusing on finding out what went wrong with the Bell 206, a widely used two-bladed helicopter. Former President Donald Trump commented on the incident, calling it terrible and offering prayers for the families involved.

This isn’t the first time a tragic helicopter crash has struck New York. In 2018, another tourist helicopter went down in the East River, resulting in the loss of all five passengers. And back in 2009, a helicopter carrying Italian tourists collided with a private plane over the Hudson River, killing nine.

The investigation continues as authorities look for answers, hoping to prevent future tragedies of this nature.

Keep going for the video below: