On April 10, 2025, a Bell 206 helicopter carrying a Spanish family of five and a pilot crashed into the Hudson River during a sightseeing tour. The victims were Agustín Escobar, CEO of Siemens Spain; his wife, Mercè Camprubí Montal; and their children, Agustín (10), Mercedes (8), and Víctor (4). The pilot, Sean Johnson, also died.

Witnesses reported hearing “a loud bang” as the aircraft broke apart midair. Its rotors and tail detached before it crashed into the water upside down. According to aviation lawyer Justin Green, videos suggest a “catastrophic mechanical failure,” possibly caused by the rotor striking the tail.

Investigators from the NTSB and FAA are still examining the crash. The lack of flight recorders and missing parts, including the rotor and transmission, make the cause difficult to confirm.

Photos showed each family member wearing a yellow Heli vest—compact life jackets designed for water emergencies. Sadly, they were not inflated. Mercè’s brother shared: “We want to keep the memory of a happy and united family, in the sweetest moment of their lives.”