Helicopter Crash Claims Six Lives in Tragic Hudson River Incident

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — A helicopter crash on Thursday afternoon claimed the lives of six individuals, including a seasoned pilot and a Spanish family visiting New York City to celebrate a birthday. The incident occurred around 3:15 p.m. when the helicopter, operated by New York Helicopter, went down in the Hudson River shortly after takeoff from the Downtown Skyport.

The pilot, Sean Johnson, 36, a Navy veteran who recently moved to New York, was at the controls of the Bell 206 helicopter when it lost control and plummeted into the river. Johnson had shared videos of himself flying over Manhattan just weeks earlier, highlighting his passion for aviation.

“I’m just at a loss for words. I don’t even know what happened,” Johnson’s wife, Kathryn, said in a statement. Kathryn noted that they had been separated for recent months but remained close and had spoken the day before the flight.

The crash resulted in the deaths of Johnson and all five passengers, a family celebrating the 40th birthday of mother Mercè Camprubí Montal. The victims were identified as Agustin Escobar, a Siemens executive, along with his wife and their three young children, ages 10, 8, and 4.

Witnesses reported hearing a loud boom before the helicopter fell. “I saw it split in two, with the rotor flying off,” one nearby runner recounted. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have begun investigations into the crash, calling it a “catastrophic failure.”

Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopter, expressed his devastation over the incident. “I’m absolutely devastated. To have children on there… it’s just horrific,” Roth said. He stated that the pilot had radioed in shortly before the crash, indicating a need for fuel.

Former colleagues and friends of Johnson took to social media to express their condolences. Remi Adeleke, a fellow Navy veteran, described Johnson as someone who came from humble beginnings and persevered to achieve his dreams in aviation. “He had a quiet determination and a spirit of resilience,” Adeleke posted.

Michael Campbell, a former training captain for New York Helicopter, shared insights about the safety measures in place at the company. “Our maintenance was always on point… We did everything to prevent something like this from happening,” Campbell stated.

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining the wreckage and reviewing video footage from the crash site. Local lawmakers and activists are calling for a reevaluation of helicopter sightseeing flights, which some consider nonessential. Meanwhile, Mayor Eric Adams defended these flights as vital for the city’s economy and tourism.

This tragedy marks a significant loss for the communities involved, with friends and family mourning the lives lost in this shocking crash.