Heartbreaking Helicopter Tragedy: A Birthday Flight Ends in Disaster Over the Hudson River
What was meant to be a joyful birthday celebration turned into an unimaginable tragedy when a Spanish family’s helicopter tour ended in a catastrophic crash over the Hudson River—claiming the lives of all six people aboard.
On the eve of her 9th birthday, an 8-year-old girl beamed with excitement as she sat proudly in the cockpit of a sightseeing helicopter in New York City. Just 16 minutes later, the aircraft plummeted into the Hudson River, killing the girl, her 10-year-old brother, 4-year-old sister, and their parents—Agustin Escobar, a top Siemens executive, and his wife Merce Camprubi Montal. The 36-year-old pilot, a former Navy SEAL, also lost his life.
The family had just arrived from Barcelona and was celebrating both the daughter’s and Merce’s birthdays. The tour was meant to be the highlight of their first day in New York City.
According to reports, the helicopter—a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV operated by New York Helicopter—took off from the Wall Street Heliport. Shortly before the crash, the pilot radioed that he needed to return for fuel. Within minutes, the rotor blades reportedly separated from the aircraft midair, slicing through the tail and sending the chopper crashing into the water near Jersey City at approximately 3:15 p.m.
Eyewitnesses described hearing a loud boom, seeing debris in the air, and watching in horror as the helicopter split apart and fell into the river. “It was horrifying,” one witness shared, recalling a plume of smoke and metal fragments as the chopper slammed into the water.
Emergency crews quickly arrived at the scene, pulling the wreckage from the murky river. Sadly, four people were declared dead at the site, while two others succumbed to injuries at the hospital. Photos released from the crash show the family moments before boarding, smiling on the helipad.
