April 11, 2025
Jersey Metropolis Mayor Steven Fulop stated there have been issues concerning the air visitors over the Hudson previous to the crash.
A household of 5 visiting New York Metropolis from Barcelona, Spain, was killed together with a pilot after a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River, ABC Information reviews.
The New York Helicopters Excursions chartered chopper was carrying three adults and three youngsters when video captured the plane breaking into items earlier than hitting the water close to Decrease Manhattan on Thursday, April 10. The victims have been recognized as Agustin Escobar, an govt from European automation firm Siemens; his spouse, Merce Camprubi Montal; and their youngsters, aged 4, 5, and 11.
The unidentified pilot was 36. Video from the crash confirmed the chopper plunging into the water with a tail rotor and primary rotor blade lacking. Officers stated the plane hit the water invertedly.
The tragic prevalence occurred at 3:17 p.m. off the coast of River Drive in Hoboken, New Jersey, roughly quarter-hour after it departed from the Wall St. Heliport. Earlier than crashing, the helicopter reached the George Washington Bridge earlier than turning south. Jersey Metropolis Mayor Steven Fulop stated that Jersey Metropolis Medical Middle medical professionals tried as exhausting as they might to avoid wasting a number of the victims who have been rushed to the hospital however have been unsuccessful.
Witnesses of the crash described the tragic scene as sounding “like a sonic growth.” “I used to be strolling by, and the helicopter went down at a 45-degree angle,” witness Eric Campoverde stated. “Huge splash — it was very scary.”
New York Helicopter Excursions CEO Michael Roth informed the New York Put up he was “devastated” by the information. “I’m a father and a grandfather, and to have youngsters on there, I’m devastated. I’m completely devastated,” he stated. When requested what he thinks could have occurred, Roth stated that he has by no means seen something like that after being in enterprise for 3 many years. “And I haven’t seen something like that in my 30 years being in enterprise, within the helicopter enterprise. The one factor I may guess — I obtained no clue — is that it both had a fowl strike or the primary rotor blades failed. I’ve no clue. I don’t know,” he continued.
“That is horrific. However you gotta keep in mind one thing, these are machines and so they break.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) listed the chopper as a Bell 206 helicopter. It was on its sixth flight of the day. Because the plane crashed on the Jersey Metropolis facet of the river, the Jersey Metropolis Police Division is taking the lead on the investigation, discovering the plane upside-down within the 50-degree water. Fulop stated there had been issues concerning the air visitors over the Hudson earlier than the crash and hopes the tragedy brings extra consideration to rising security issues.
Elected officers additionally spoke out concerning the crash. New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams stated, “Our hearts exit to the household and people on board” throughout a briefing. In a put up on X, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez referred to as the information “devastating.” “5 Spaniards from the identical household, three of them youngsters, and the pilot have misplaced their lives. An unimaginable tragedy,” he wrote.
President Donald Trump referred to as the crash “horrible” on his Reality Social app. “Horrible crash,” Trump stated. “The video of the accident is horrific. God bless the households and associates of the victims.”
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