New Details Emerge On Victims Of Hudson River Helicopter Crash

NEW YORK CITY — A family of tourists from Spain and a pilot were among six killed in a helicopter crash over the Hudson River Thursday afternoon.

Here's the latest information on the victims.

Agustin Escobar, a CEO at technology company Siemens, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, their children, ages 4, 5 and 11, as well as a 36-year-old pilot died in the crash, according to an ABC News report.

The pilot has been identified as Sean Johnson, according to reports.

Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop disclosed in a post on X that Escobar was in the city for a business trip and his family flew out to see him.

“They were celebrating the mom’s 40th bday with the tourist helicopter flight yesterday,” Fulop wrote in the post.

Escobar's brother-in-law was flying in Friday morning to work with the medical examiner and begin the process of returning the family’s bodies back to Spain, according to the Jersey City Mayor.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague and friend, Agustin Escobar, and his beloved family,” Siemens President Roland Busch said in a statement. “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Agustin’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. We will miss him and his family immensely.”

Deadly Crash Thursday

The helicopter went down in the vicinity of the West Side Highway and Spring Street in Manhattan near Pier 40 around 3:17 p.m., the NYPD said.

Four victims were pronounced dead at the scene, two others were transported to a local hospital where they succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced dead, officials said.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the chopper has been identified as a Bell 206 helicopter. It had taken off from the Downtown Skyport in Lower Manhattan, Patch previously reported.

The helicopter departed the skyport at 2:59 p.m. and lost control after it turned at the George Washington Bridge making its way along the New Jersey shoreline, officials said

"We are praying for the families and show our gratitude to the rescuers," Mayor Eric Adams said at a press conference Thursday evening.

A number of videos on social media captured the moments following the crash.

Witnesses near the scene described seeing the helicopter "fall from the sky" and they heard a loud boom before it crashed into the water.

The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.

This is a developing story. This post will be updated.