One Generation Wasted: Siemens Executive, Family, Pilot Perish in Fatal Helicopter Crash
Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that a tragic incident occurred on Thursday, April 10, when a sightseeing helicopter, with the name, Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV, carrying a Spanish family of five crashed into the Hudson River in New York City, resulting in the deaths of all individuals on board, including the pilot.
OTN News further reports as gathered that Law enforcement sources who confirmed the tragic incident, disclosed that the Global CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, Agustin Escobar, was among the victims, along with his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three young children.
OTN News also gathered that some heart-wrenching images from the New York Helicopter Tours website depict the family smiling in front of the Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV and seated inside the helicopter just moments before departure.
OTN News further reports as learnt that the Escobars had recently arrived in New York from Barcelona for a family holiday and were sightseeing in Manhattan when the helicopter crashed into the Hudson River around 3pm on Thursday.
The 36-year-old pilot was also among the deceased.
Divers from the NYPD and FDNY retrieved all six individuals from the wreckage, but tragically, none survived.
A police commissioner, Jessica Tisch on Thursday evening said, “NYPD divers pulled four people from the crash site, and FDNY divers recovered an additional two. Immediate lifesaving measures were undertaken on the vessels at the scene, as well as the adjoining pier."
“Four victims were pronounced dead on scene, and two more were removed to local area hospitals, where, sadly, both succumbed to their injuries,” she added.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed in a statement that the helicopter was a Bell 206.
“A Bell 206 helicopter crashed and is submerged in the Hudson River in New York City. The number of people on board is unknown at this time. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The @NTSB will lead the investigation and provide any updates,” the FAA stated.
In the meantime, President Donald Trump described the crash as “terrible.”
“Terrible helicopter crash in the Hudson River. Looks like six people, the pilot, two adults, and three children, are no longer with us. The footage of the accident is horrendous. God bless the families and friends of the victims. Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, and his talented staff are on it. Announcements as to exactly what took place, and how, will be made shortly,” he wrote on Truth Social.
OTN News however, gathered from the LinkedIn profile of Escobar’s wife, Merce, that his wife had worked in Barcelona as a global commercialization manager at Siemens Energy for seven years.
The couple’s children were believed to be in middle school or younger.
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