Six Dead in Hudson River Helicopter Crash, Including Family of Five A sightseeing helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near Pier 40 on Thursday afternoon, killing all six people on board—an entire family and the pilot.

Among the victims were Agustin Escobar, Siemens Mobility executive, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children, aged 4, 5, and 11. They had just arrived from Barcelona earlier that day. The helicopter took off from Wall Street Heliport, circled the Statue of Liberty, and headed up the Hudson.

Just minutes in, the pilot radioed that the aircraft needed fuel and was returning—but it never made it. Witnesses say the helicopter “split in two” mid-air, with its rotor detaching before crashing into the water. NYPD confirmed the aircraft “lost control and hit the water.” Michael Roth, owner of New York Helicopter, said the pilot reported needing fuel, and the crash occurred about 20 minutes later. “We’re devastated,” Roth said. Photos of the family moments before the flight have since emerged. Rest in peace to the six lost in this heartbreaking tragedy