A devastating helicopter crash in New York claimed six lives, including Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife, and their three young children. The family, visiting from Spain, had just arrived in New York City and boarded a sightseeing helicopter operated by New York Helicopters. Merely 15 minutes after takeoff from Lower Manhattan,
the helicopter spiraled out of control and plunged into the Hudson River near Pier 40. Witnesses described terrifying scenes of the aircraft breaking apart mid-air, with its propeller detaching and spinning separately. Despite quick response efforts by NYPD and FDNY divers, all six victims either died at the scene or later in the hospital. Images of the smiling family before the flight—wearing ear protection and holding life vests—were initially posted online but were later taken down, only deepening the heartbreak.