What was meant to be a picturesque afternoon in New York City turned into an unfathomable tragedy when a sightseeing helicopter plunged into the Hudson River on April 10, killing all six people on board. Among the victims was a Spanish family-of-five — a couple and their three young children — alongside their seasoned pilot, former Navy SEAL Sean Johnson. Now, the brother of one of the victims has broken his silence, delivering a statement steeped in sorrow and love.
A Family Lost, a Legacy Remembered
The victims — Agustín Escobar, a Siemens executive, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their children aged 11, 5, and 4 — were visiting from Barcelona. The helicopter, operated by New York Helicopters, had just radioed in a request for fuel. Moments later, it split mid-air and crashed into the river. No one survived.
In the wake of devastation, Merce’s brother, Joan Camprubí Montal, traveled to New York to identify the bodies and lay a wreath at the site of the crash. His words, delivered in Catalan at a press conference, were a moving tribute to the lives lost too soon.
“We will never forget you,” he said, reciting each of their names with reverence. “We will keep your smile alive every day of our lives, and I believe that’s the best legacy we can give you.”
A Sudden, Violent End
Moments before the crash, 54-year-old pilot Sean Johnson alerted his team he was low on fuel and preparing to land. Michael Roth, the helicopter’s owner, shared that Johnson’s communication seemed routine. “It should have taken him about three minutes to arrive,” Roth said. “But 20 minutes later, he didn’t arrive.”
What happened next stunned onlookers. Witnesses described the moment the helicopter broke apart in the sky, followed by a haunting silence. One witness, Max, recounted the chilling scene to ABC News: “It sounded like a sonic boom… I saw the helicopter split in two, the rotor flew off into the sky, and it just went straight into the water. Nothing came up afterward. It just sank.”
Max's vivid retelling paints a harrowing picture: “The rotor separated and flew off high above, while the rest of the chopper plunged. Something must have failed in the rotor—it was so sudden.”
The Investigation Begins
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the crash, focusing on mechanical failure and flight records. The rotor’s separation is a key concern, as is the chopper’s maintenance history. While officials have not confirmed what caused the catastrophic failure, the wreckage and eyewitness accounts point toward a tragic malfunction mid-air.
In the Wake of Grief, Questions Remain
For those who loved the victims, answers may never be enough. The crash not only ended six lives, it also shattered the dreams and joy of a family simply seeking to enjoy a day above one of the world’s most iconic skylines.
And yet, amid the grief, Joan Camprubí Montal’s words offer a glimmer of resolve: that love endures, even when lives are cut short.
“We will keep your smile alive,” he said — a promise to remember, to honour, and to never let go.
A Family Lost, a Legacy Remembered
The victims — Agustín Escobar, a Siemens executive, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their children aged 11, 5, and 4 — were visiting from Barcelona. The helicopter, operated by New York Helicopters, had just radioed in a request for fuel. Moments later, it split mid-air and crashed into the river. No one survived.
In the wake of devastation, Merce’s brother, Joan Camprubí Montal, traveled to New York to identify the bodies and lay a wreath at the site of the crash. His words, delivered in Catalan at a press conference, were a moving tribute to the lives lost too soon.
“We will never forget you,” he said, reciting each of their names with reverence. “We will keep your smile alive every day of our lives, and I believe that’s the best legacy we can give you.”
BREAKING: Agustin Escobar, President and CEO of Siemens in Spain, along with his wife and their three children, were identified as the victims of the helicopter that plunged into the Hudson River in New York City on Thursday, according to the New York Post.
— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) April 11, 2025
The New York… pic.twitter.com/cGOiJWGFAx
A Sudden, Violent End
Moments before the crash, 54-year-old pilot Sean Johnson alerted his team he was low on fuel and preparing to land. Michael Roth, the helicopter’s owner, shared that Johnson’s communication seemed routine. “It should have taken him about three minutes to arrive,” Roth said. “But 20 minutes later, he didn’t arrive.”
What happened next stunned onlookers. Witnesses described the moment the helicopter broke apart in the sky, followed by a haunting silence. One witness, Max, recounted the chilling scene to ABC News: “It sounded like a sonic boom… I saw the helicopter split in two, the rotor flew off into the sky, and it just went straight into the water. Nothing came up afterward. It just sank.”
Max's vivid retelling paints a harrowing picture: “The rotor separated and flew off high above, while the rest of the chopper plunged. Something must have failed in the rotor—it was so sudden.”
New video shows horrifying moment helicopter crashed in the Hudson River yesterday, killing all 6 people on board.
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) April 11, 2025
The Bell 206 chopper, operated by New York Helicopter Tours, departed at about 3 p.m. ET (1900 GMT) from a downtown helicopter pad and flew north over the Hudson… pic.twitter.com/K9Wa6S20iF
The Investigation Begins
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the crash, focusing on mechanical failure and flight records. The rotor’s separation is a key concern, as is the chopper’s maintenance history. While officials have not confirmed what caused the catastrophic failure, the wreckage and eyewitness accounts point toward a tragic malfunction mid-air.
In the Wake of Grief, Questions Remain
For those who loved the victims, answers may never be enough. The crash not only ended six lives, it also shattered the dreams and joy of a family simply seeking to enjoy a day above one of the world’s most iconic skylines.
And yet, amid the grief, Joan Camprubí Montal’s words offer a glimmer of resolve: that love endures, even when lives are cut short.
“We will keep your smile alive,” he said — a promise to remember, to honour, and to never let go.
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