New York-Barcelona Helicopter Tragedy
- NEW YORK (AP) — A helicopter crash in the Hudson River on Thursday claimed the lives of a family of five from Barcelona, Spain, and their pilot.
- Agustín Escobar, global general director of Railway Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, and his wife, Mercè Camprubí Montal, who worked for Siemens Energy, were among the deceased.
- The crash occurred shortly after the helicopter took off, plunging into the river between New York City and New Jersey.Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.
Hudson River Helicopter Crash Kills Spanish Family, Pilot
NEW YORK (AP) — A helicopter crash in the Hudson River on Thursday claimed the lives of a family of five from Barcelona, Spain, and their pilot. the group was on a sightseeing tour when the accident occurred.
Agustín Escobar, global general director of Railway Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, and his wife, Mercè Camprubí Montal, who worked for Siemens Energy, were among the deceased. Their three children, ages 4, 8, and 10, also perished in the crash. The 8-year-old’s birthday was Friday, according to new York City Mayor Eric Adams.
The crash occurred shortly after the helicopter took off, plunging into the river between New York City and New Jersey.Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.
Condolences Pour In
News of the tragedy prompted an outpouring of grief. Spanish President Pedro Sánchez expressed his condolences on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The news coming from the helicopter accident on the hudson River is devastating. Five Spaniards of the same family, three of them children, and the pilot have lost their lives. I accompany the relatives of the victims in their pain.
Sánchez wrote.
School Mourns Loss of Students
Students at the jesuit College of Sant Ignasi in Barcelona, where the Escobar children attended school, mourned the loss of their classmates. An reporter observed students crying and embracing their parents after learning of the tragedy.
Oleguer Bertran, an 18-year-old student, said the school held a moment of silence friday morning. The school released a statement on Instagram expressing its dismay and hurt over the deaths, but declined further comment when contacted.
Remembering Agustín Escobar
Escobar,a native of puertollano,Spain,was honored as a “favourite son of Castilla La Mancha” in 2023,according to Emiliano García-Page,the region’s president.García-page also expressed his condolences on X.
Escobar had worked for Siemens for more than 27 years. He often wrote about sustainability in the railway industry and traveled extensively for work. He also served as vice president of the German Chamber of Commerce for Spain since 2023.In a 2022 LinkedIn post, Escobar thanked his family for their unconditional support, love… and patience.
Family’s Connection to FC Barcelona
Camprubí Montal had worked for Siemens Energy for approximately seven years as a global marketing and digitalization manager. Her family has deep roots in FC Barcelona. Her grandfather, agustí Montal I Costa, served as the club’s president from 1969 to 1977, and her great-grandfather, Agustí Montal I Galabart, held the same position from 1946 to 1952.
FC Barcelona has not released a statement regarding the deaths. Siemens issued a statement Friday offering condolences to the families of the victims.
Details of the Flight
The Escobar family extended their business trip to New York for a few days of vacation, according to Jersey City Mayor steven Fulop. Photos on the tour company’s website showed the family smiling in the helicopter before takeoff.
Fulop said a relative was expected to arrive in New york on Friday, and authorities are working to facilitate the transfer of the victims’ remains to Spain.
Hudson River Helicopter Crash: Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Hudson River helicopter crash?
A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday,resulting in the deaths of a Spanish family of five from Barcelona and the pilot.
Who were the victims of the helicopter crash?
The victims included:
- Agustín Escobar (Global general director of Railway Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility)
- Mercè Camprubí Montal (Wife, who worked for Siemens Energy)
- Their three children (ages 4, 8, and 10)
- The pilot
Where did the crash occur?
The crash occurred in the Hudson River between New York City and New Jersey, shortly after the helicopter took off.
what was the family doing in New York?
The Escobar family was on a sightseeing tour, extending a business trip for a few days of vacation in New York.
Were there any survivors?
No, all six people on board the helicopter perished in the crash.
Who has offered condolences?
spanish President Pedro Sánchez expressed his condolences on X (formerly Twitter). siemens also issued a statement offering condolences to the families.
What is known about Agustín Escobar’s career?
Agustín Escobar worked for Siemens for over 27 years. he was the global general director of Railway Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, wrote about sustainability in the railway industry, and served as vice president of the German Chamber of Commerce for Spain since 2023.
What was Mercè Camprubí Montal’s connection to FC Barcelona?
Mercè Camprubí Montal’s family has deep ties to FC Barcelona. Her grandfather, Agustí Montal I Costa, served as the club’s president from 1969 to 1977, and her great-grandfather, Agustí Montal I Galabart, held the same position from 1946 to 1952.
Has FC Barcelona commented on the tragedy?
No, FC Barcelona has not released a statement regarding the deaths.
What is happening with the victims’ remains?
Authorities are working to facilitate the transfer of the victims’ remains to Spain.
How has the school reacted to the loss of the children?
The Jesuit college of Sant Ignasi in Barcelona, where the Escobar children attended, held a moment of silence and released a statement expressing their dismay and hurt.