Helicopter Crash Kills Family Celebrating Birthday in Hudson River

A tragic helicopter crash in the Hudson River claimed the lives of a Spanish family of five, including three young children, and their pilot while they were celebrating the mother's 40th birthday during a sightseeing tour of New York City. The family, led by Siemens executive Agustín Escobar and his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, was reportedly on a short trip to the U.S. when the helicopter, operated by New York Helicopters, experienced difficulties and crashed shortly after takeoff. Eyewitness accounts describe the helicopter disintegrating midair before plunging into the water, with the pilot having radioed for fuel just before the incident. Local officials, including Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and New York Mayor Eric Adams, expressed their condolences and confirmed that an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board is underway to determine the cause of the crash. Family members have expressed their grief, emphasizing the unity and happiness of the family they lost. The heartbreaking loss has resonated across the nation, drawing attention to the risks associated with such flights.