NEW YORK, Apr 11 : Agustin Escobar, Head of Siemens’ operations in Spain and Southwestern Europe, his wife, and their three children were killed in a helicopter crash over the Hudson River in New York.
The tragedy occurred on Thursday, when the sightseeing helicopter plunged into the water, leaving no survivors.
Besides, Escobar, the other victims were his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their children — aged four, five and 11, as well as the pilot, aged 36, ABC News reported.
Escobar was named as an executive of Siemens’ division in Spain and Southwest Europe in 2022, according to a press release from the technology conglomerate.
The former head of Siemens’ Spanish arm, Miguel ngel L pez, spoke highly of Escobar in the release, saying his work was “key” to the company’s success.
The identity of the pilot, who was flying the New York Helicopters chartered chopper, has not yet been released.
The family was visiting New York City from Barcelona, Spain.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro S nchez said in a post to X that the news was “devastating.” He added, “Five Spaniards from the same family, three of them children, and the pilot have lost their lives. An unimaginable tragedy. I sympathize with the victims’ loved ones at this heartbreaking time.”
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating what led to the deadly incident.
The crash occurred at 3.17 p.m. off the coast of River Drive in Hoboken, New Jersey, just over 15 minutes after it departed from the Wall St. Heliport, officials said during a press briefing on Thursday.
The helicopter reached the George Washington Bridge before turning south and crashing, officials said.
“Our hearts go out to the family and those on board,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said during the briefing.
The chopper — identified by the Federal Aviation Administration as a Bell 206 helicopter — was on its sixth flight of the day. It was found upside-down in the water when rescuers arrived at the scene, officials said.
(UNI)
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