A senior Siemens executive, his wife, and their three young children were among six people killed when a tourist helicopter plunged into the Hudson River on Thursday afternoon, officials confirmed.

Agustín Escobar, who oversaw Siemens’ operations in Spain and Southwest Europe, was visiting New York City with his wife, Merce Camprubí Montal, and their children—ages 4, 5, and 11—when the helicopter they boarded crashed into the icy waters off Hoboken, New Jersey. The 36-year-old pilot, whose identity has not yet been released, also died in the crash.

The family, originally from Barcelona, had boarded the flight operated by New York Helicopters at 2:59 p.m. local time from the Wall Street Heliport. The helicopter went down at approximately 3:17 p.m. after reaching the George Washington Bridge and attempting to turn south, according to authorities.

Emergency crews and divers located the Bell 206 aircraft submerged and upside-down in the 50-degree water. Despite a swift response, all six occupants were pronounced dead—four at the scene and two later at area hospitals.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Eyewitness footage showed the aircraft flipping mid-air before plummeting into the river.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez shared a message of condolence on social media, calling the tragedy “devastating.”
“Five Spaniards from the same family, three of them children, and the pilot have lost their lives. An unimaginable tragedy. I send my deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the victims,” he wrote on X.

The crash has sent shockwaves through both Spain and the international business community, as tributes continue to pour in for Escobar and his family.