A tragic sightseeing helicopter crash in New York City killed all six people on board, including a Spanish family of five and the unidentified pilot. The Bell 206 helicopter plunged into the Hudson River just 16 minutes after taking off from the Wall Street Heliport.

The victims were Agustín Escobar, Global CEO at Siemens Mobility, his wife Mercè Camprubí, and their three children—aged 11, 5, and 4—who were reportedly celebrating a birthday. They had posed for photos before the flight.

Eyewitness Lesly Camacho said, “There was a bunch of smoke coming out. It was spinning pretty fast, and it landed in the water really hard.” Police confirmed the helicopter was found upside down, and all victims were recovered, though two initially survived the crash before dying in hospital.

Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopter Tours, revealed the pilot’s final radio call: “He called in that he was landing and that he needed fuel.” Roth added, “We’re all devastated… The death of the child of any human being is a monumental disaster.”

An investigation is ongoing.