Hudson River Helicopter Crash Claims Lives of Siemens Executive, Family, and Pilot in Tragic Accident

NEW YORK, June 11, 2025 – A heartbreaking helicopter crash in the Hudson River on April 10 has left New York and the global community in deep sorrow. Six people lost their lives, including a top Siemens executive, his wife, their three young children, and the pilot.

The helicopter ride, operated by New York Helicopter Charter Inc., was meant to be a joyful sightseeing tour over Manhattan. Sadly, just 18 minutes after taking off from Downtown Manhattan Heliport, the aircraft went down near Jersey City, New Jersey, with no survivors.

The victims were identified as Agustín Escobar, 49, Global CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility; his wife, Mercè Camprubí Montal, 39, a manager at Siemens Energy; and their three children, Agustín (10), Mercè (8), and Víctor (4). Also on board was Sean Keanes Johnson, 36, the pilot and a former U.S. Navy veteran. The family had traveled from Barcelona to New York for Mercè’s 40th birthday and their daughter’s upcoming birthday, turning a business trip into a vacation.

Reports say the Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV was flying along a popular sightseeing path over the Statue of Liberty and up the Hudson River when disaster hit at 3:17 p.m. Eyewitnesses described seeing the rotor and tail section separate from the helicopter while it was still in the air. Video clips showed the helicopter flipping upside down before crashing into the river near Hoboken, New Jersey.

Local residents described the terrifying moments. One Jersey City resident said they heard loud “popping” sounds like gunshots. Another witness saw parts of the helicopter spinning separately as it fell from the sky. Emergency teams quickly responded, but sadly, four people died at the scene. The remaining two were taken to hospitals but couldn’t survive their injuries.

A thorough investigation into the crash has been initiated by the NTSB. Early theories suggest a mechanical failure, possibly “mast bumping,” may have caused the crash. The helicopter, built in 2004, had a clean airworthiness record and had flown over 12,700 hours. It was on its eighth flight’s the day. Some posts on social media pointed out past technical concerns, including a known transmission issue, though the cause is still being studied. The lack of a flight recorder is making the investigation more difficult.

Siemens shared a message of grief, saying:
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Agustín Escobar and his family. Our thoughts & prayers are with their loved ones.”

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also paid tribute, calling the accident “an unthinkable loss.” Mercè Camprubí belonged to a respected family in Spain with ties to FC Barcelona, adding to the national mourning.

This tragedy has once again raised concerns about the safety of helicopter tours in New York City. Although the industry brings in around $78 million each year, there have been at least 38 deaths since 1977. The helicopter involved in this crash was leased by New York Helicopter Charter Inc. from Meridian Helicopters, a company that has had past incidents in 2013 and 2015. The FAA has suspended the operator’s license, and Senator Chuck Schumer has urged for a complete ban on its operations.

The remains of the Escobar family are being flown back to Spain for burial. Meanwhile, the recovered wreckage from the river — some found as deep as 75 feet underwater — is being examined for clues.

Leaders around the world, including President Donald Trump and New York Mayor Eric Adams, have shared their condolences. The world mourns the loss of a beautiful family whose lives were cut tragically short.