Tragedy in the Sky: Sightseeing Helicopter Crashes Into Hudson, Killing Six
It’s heartbreaking to talk about what happened over the Hudson River yesterday—a day that was supposed to be filled with awe-inspiring views and unforgettable memories turned into a devastating tragedy. A sightseeing helicopter, operated by New York Helicopters, plunged into the river just minutes after taking off, killing all six people on board. Among the victims were a family of five from Spain and the pilot, marking one of the most devastating aviation incidents in New York City in recent years.
The flight began as a typical sightseeing tour around 3 p.m. on a sunny Thursday afternoon, lifting off from a downtown Manhattan heliport. The passengers—Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children—were seen smiling in photos before takeoff. None of them could have known that just 18 minutes later, the ride would end in tragedy.
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Witnesses along the Jersey City waterfront described a terrifying scene. Some heard what sounded like gunshots as the helicopter broke apart midair, its tail and propeller detaching and spinning separately from the aircraft. In one chilling account, someone said it looked like the chopper was “falling apart in the sky,” tumbling uncontrollably before slamming into the river.
The crash occurred near a maintenance pier for the Holland Tunnel ventilation tower. Within minutes, emergency crews responded, surrounding the submerged wreckage with rescue boats. Sadly, by then, it was already too late. Recovery teams used a floating crane to lift the crumpled helicopter from the water later that evening.
The helicopter, a Bell 206 model, is commonly used for commercial sightseeing flights. According to early assessments and video evidence, experts believe a catastrophic mechanical failure caused the crash—likely involving the main rotor striking the tail boom. Aviation lawyer and former Marine Corps pilot Justin Green said the pilot wouldn’t have had a chance. “It’s like a rock falling from the sky,” he explained. “They were dead as soon as it happened.”
Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that all bodies had been recovered and extended condolences to the families affected. This incident adds to a growing list of aviation accidents in the New York City area, sparking renewed calls to review the safety and necessity of sightseeing flights over such a densely populated urban zone.
For now, the skies over Manhattan seem just a little quieter—and certainly, a lot heavier with grief.
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