Reports: Family killed in NYC crash was on birthday flight

More heartbreaking details and witness accounts are now emerging from the tragic helicopter crash in New York, where a sightseeing chopper went down into the Hudson River, killing an entire family.

Short on fuel
A family of five visiting New York City from Barcelona, Spain, was tragically killed when their sightseeing helicopter crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday.

Just 18 minutes into their sightseeing tour, something went terribly wrong — the helicopter lost control and crashed into the water just a few feet from Pier A Park in Hoboken.

A new update reveals that the pilot radioed back to base to alert them to the fact that the chopper was already short on fuel just minutes into the trip.

71-year-old Michael Roth, owner of New York Helicopter, a company that provides sky tours of the Big Apple, told The Telegraph that the pilot – yet to be identified – had contacted the base to tell them the group were returning to the helipad.

Tragically, they never made it.

“Never seen anything like that in my life”
Video from the tragic crash shows the helicopter flipped upside down in the water near Manhattan’s West Side Highway and Spring Street.

According to witnesses, the tail and rotor blades appeared to detach mid-air before the aircraft plunged into the river.

One witness described hearing the helicopter ”splitting in two” with a noise ”like a sonic boom.” Another bystander said the crash ”sounded like thunder” and recalled seeing ”black particles flying” through the air.

Another eyewitness named Max spoke to ABC News about the horrifying crash, describing how he heard the disaster before seeing it unfold with his own eyes.

“It sounded like a sonic boom so I look up and literally I saw helicopter splitting in 2, with the rotor flying off in the sky it was going so fast and it just went straight into the water,” Max recalled.

“Nothing came up afterwards it must have just sunk and that was it, and then I just waited here and like five minutes later we started seeing the police and stuff come.

“I’ve never seen anything like that in my life.”

Tragic detail
The victims of the tragic helicopter crash in the Hudson River have been identified as Agustín Escobar, a Siemens executive from Barcelona, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three young children, aged 11, 5, and 4.

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The family, who had just arrived in New York City, was in town to celebrate one of their children’s birthday when the crash occurred, according to Spanish newspaper El Diario.

But the once-in-a-lifetime trip, meant to celebrate a child’s special day, ended in heartbreaking tragedy, with all aboard losing their lives.

New York Helicopter Tours LLC
Escobar, who worked at Siemens for over 27 years and was the global CEO for rail infrastructure, and his wife, a global manager at Siemens, were both well-respected professionals. Their children, ages 4, 5, and 11, were along for the trip that was meant to be a joyful family experience, with a scenic helicopter ride offering views of the Statue of Liberty.

Siemens issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over the loss, saying, ”We are deeply saddened by the tragic helicopter crash in which Agustin Escobar and his family lost their lives. Our heartfelt condolences go out to all their loved ones.”

32 people have died since 1977
The Bell 206 helicopter involved in the crash was owned by Meridian Helicopters, a Louisiana-based company that specializes in selling, leasing, and refurbishing aircraft. It was being operated by New York Helicopter, a company that has been offering tours for nearly three decades.

“I don’t know anything how this went down. The only thing I can tell you, we are devastated, my wife hasn’t stopped crying since this afternoon. We’re a small company,” said New York Helicopter CEO Michael Roth. “I’m a father and a grandfather, and we’re just devastated.”

According to Associated Press, at least 32 people have died in helicopter crashes in New York since 1977. The most recent crash occurred in 2019, when a helicopter used for corporate travel crashed into the roof of a skyscraper on Manhattan, killing the pilot.

Such a devastating tragedy. It’s hard to even imagine the fear this family must have felt during such a terrifying moment.

My heart goes out to them and everyone who knew them. It’s a harsh reminder of how quickly things can change.

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