Pilot, family of 5 from Spain killed after helicopter crashes into Hudson River in NYC
Three children were among those on board, according to sources.
NEW YORK -- Six people were killed after a helicopter believed to be carrying a family of tourists from Spain crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday afternoon.
In addition to the family of five -- two adults and three children -- a 36-year-old pilot was also on board, for a total of six people.
The deceased children were 4, 5 and 11 years old, law enforcement officials told ABC News.
Law enforcement sources also identified some of those killed as Agustin Escobar, a Siemens executive from Spain, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their children.
A Siemens news release said Escobar was named CEO of the conglomerate's division in Spain in 2022.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the helicopter was operated by New York Helicopters.
Video shared with New York ABC station WABC appeared to show pieces of the helicopter break apart and crash into the water. Officials say the helicopter hit the water inverted.
Four of the victims were declared dead at the scene and two victims were sent to local hospitals where they were pronounced dead.
The FAA believes the helicopter is a Bell 206 and appears to have taken off from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport at 2:59 p.m. It went off radar at 3:25 p.m.
Jersey City Medical Center, where the passengers were transported after the crash, tried as hard as they could, Mayor Fulop said.
The Spanish Consulate of New York City is in touch with authorities to gather and confirm information and identification of the people involved in the helicopter crash, according to the communications team at the Spanish Foreign Ministry. Authorities in Spain are aware of the crash as well, according to the department.
A witness told Eyewitness News that he saw the helicopter crash.
"I heard a loud snap ... I looked over ... and I could see a helicopter falling on its side and splash into the water," the witness said. "I didn't see anyone come out."
Dani Horbiak told ABC News she watched the helicopter "fall out of the sky" from her apartment window.
"I heard five or six loud noises that sounded almost like gunshots in the sky and saw pieces fall off, then watched it fall into the river," Horbiak said.
"It sounded like a sonic boom," a witness told WABC. He said he saw the "helicopter splitting in two with the rotor flying off."
The helicopter was upside-down in the 50-degree water when rescuers arrived to the scene, which was closer to the New Jersey side of the Hudson River, according to sources.
At least 32 people have died in helicopter crashes in NYC since 1977 -- most recently in 2019 when a helicopter used for executive travel hit the roof of Manhattan skyscraper in restricted airspace and the pilot was killed.
President Donald Trump said in a statement on social media, "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!"
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
ABC News and WABC contributed to this report.
