A Spanish Siemens executive and his family were among the six individuals who died when a tourist helicopter crashed into New York City’s Hudson River on April 10, the European technology company confirmed in a statement to media.
Agustín Escobar, CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, the train transportation arm of German-based technology company Siemens, was killed in the crash, a company spokesperson said.
His wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children, aged 4, 5, and 11, also died along with the 36-year-old pilot of the aircraft, who has not yet been identified.
The cause of the incident is still unknown.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic helicopter crash in which Agustin Escobar and his family lost their lives,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
The Epoch Times has contacted a spokesperson for Siemens for comment.
Prior to his appointment, he served as CEO of Siemens Mobility Spain and Southwest Europe and accumulated more than 20 years of international experience in the company, especially in infrastructure, energy, and mobility, the announcement stated.
At a press briefing on April 10, officials with the New York Police Department confirmed the aircraft that crashed was a Bell 206 helicopter operated by tour company New York Helicopters.
The flight took off from the downtown Manhattan Heliport at 2:59 p.m. and flew south before turning to fly north along the Manhattan shoreline up the Hudson River, Police Chief Jessica Tisch said.
At 3:08 p.m., the aircraft reached the George Washington Bridge and then turned again to fly south along the New Jersey shoreline, according to Tisch. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft lost control and hit the water just a few feet off the coast of Pier A Park in Hoboken.
Tisch said officials believe the helicopter hit the water “inverted” and became semi-submerged, adding that a cabin piece remained visible above the water line.
“Tragically, six people were pronounced dead,” the department said.
“Looks like six people, the pilot, two adults, and three children, are no longer with us,” Trump wrote. “God bless the families and friends of the victims. Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, and his talented staff are on it. Announcements as to exactly what took place, and how, will be made shortly!”
“Five Spaniards from the same family, three of them children, and the pilot have lost their lives. An unimaginable tragedy. I share the grief of the victims’ loved ones at this heartbreaking moment,” he said.
The crash comes as helicopter safety has become a key topic of discussion among U.S. lawmakers in recent months following a string of incidents, including in January, when a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter on a routine training mission and an American Airlines regional passenger jet collided midair, killing 67 people near Washington’s Reagan National Airport.
The FAA has since permanently restricted helicopter traffic near that airport and is reviewing helicopter operations near other major airports.
