In a devastating turn of events, a sightseeing helicopter plummeted into the Hudson River near Jersey City, New Jersey, on April 10, 2025, claiming the lives of all six aboard, including three young children. The tragedy has sent shockwaves through New York and beyond, with the victims’ identities now confirmed, revealing a heartbreaking story of a family’s joyful outing turned catastrophic. Adding to the sorrow, global superstar Rihanna has confirmed that one of the victims was someone close to her heart, leaving fans and the public reeling. As the world mourns, the details of this horrific crash unfold, painting a picture of loss that will linger for years to come.
At 2:59 p.m. on a cloudy Thursday afternoon, a Bell 206 LongRanger IV, operated by New York Helicopter, took off from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport for what was meant to be a breathtaking tour of New York City’s iconic skyline. The flight, carrying a family of five from Barcelona, Spain, and a skilled pilot, followed a popular route: circling the Statue of Liberty, gliding north along Manhattan’s Hudson River shoreline, and turning south near the George Washington Bridge. But at 3:17 p.m., just 18 minutes into the flight, tragedy struck.
Witnesses described a chilling scene as the helicopter suddenly broke apart midair, its main rotor detaching and the fuselage spiraling upside-down into the frigid waters near Hoboken, New Jersey. “It was like a sonic boom,” one onlooker recounted. “The helicopter split in half, and debris was flying everywhere.” Emergency responders, including NYPD and FDNY divers, raced to the scene within minutes, pulling four victims from the wreckage and recovering two others. Tragically, four were pronounced dead at the scene, and the remaining two, including a young child, succumbed to their injuries at Jersey City Medical Center.
The victims have been identified as Agustín Escobar, 49, a senior executive at Siemens Mobility, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, 39, a global manager at Siemens Energy, and their three children: Agustín, 10, Mercè, 8, and Victor, 4. The family had arrived in New York to celebrate Mercè’s 40th birthday and their daughter’s upcoming 9th birthday, turning a business trip into a special family adventure. Heartbreaking photos shared by the tour company showed the family smiling on the helipad, unaware of the tragedy that awaited.
Joan Camprubí, Mercè’s brother, spoke at a press conference, his voice heavy with grief: “They left together, without suffering, with smiles on their faces. We want to honor their happiness forever.” The family’s loss has sparked an outpouring of condolences from around the world, with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez calling it “an unimaginable tragedy.”
The pilot, Seankese “Sam” Johnson, 36, a former Navy SEAL with 788 hours of flight experience, was also killed. Described as dedicated and professional, Johnson had radioed minutes before the crash, indicating he was returning to refuel. His loss has added another layer of sorrow to an already devastating event.
OHIO STATE HIGHWAY PATROL INVESTIGATING SMALL PLANE CRASH, PILOT DEAD
In a shocking twist, Rihanna took to social media late Thursday to confirm that one of the victims was personally connected to her, though she withheld the specific identity out of respect for the family’s privacy. “My heart is broken,” she wrote. “To lose someone so young, so full of life, in such a tragic way—it’s unbearable. Please keep their families in your prayers.” Her statement, liked by millions within hours, has fueled speculation and deepened the public’s emotional connection to the tragedy. Was it one of the children? A family friend? The mystery has only intensified the global outpouring of grief, with #HudsonRiverTragedy trending worldwide.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, speaking at a press conference near Pier 40, fought back tears as he addressed the loss: “Our hearts go out to the families. This family came to see our city’s beauty, and instead, we’re mourning their loss. It’s reminiscent of the Miracle on the Hudson, but this time, we weren’t so lucky.” New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy called the incident “tragic,” pledging full support for the ongoing investigation.
Witnesses like Mandy Bowlin, a tourist from Tennessee, described the horror of watching the helicopter plummet from a Circle Line tour boat: “I heard a boom, then saw a rotor blade fly off. It was like something out of a movie, but it was real, and it was devastating.” Another local, Peter Park, dialed 911 after seeing black smoke and debris fall perilously close to the Jersey shore.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), led by Chair Jennifer Homendy, has launched a full investigation into the crash, with a “go-team” arriving at the scene Thursday night. The helicopter, built in 2004 and last inspected on March 1, 2025, was not equipped with flight recorders, complicating efforts to pinpoint the cause. Divers have recovered key components, including the main rotor, transmission, and tail boom, but the exact reason for the midair breakup remains unclear.
The FAA noted that the helicopter was operating in a Special Flight Rules Area, meaning no air traffic control services were provided at the time of the crash. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a Safety Review Team to examine the incident, vowing transparency as answers emerge. The crash, the deadliest helicopter accident in New York City since 2018, has renewed calls for stricter regulations on tourist helicopter flights, with Senator Chuck Schumer urging the FAA to revoke New York Helicopter’s operating certificate due to prior safety incidents.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams spoke dυriпg a joiпt пews coпfereпce with the FDNY aпd NYPD.
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NYPD officials told Fox News Digital they are пot able to provide fυrther details at this time.
Prior to the Hυdsoп River crash oп Thυrsday, the NTSB reported 211 helicopter accideпts iп the past two years, 37 of which were fatal.
Siпce 1965, 36 crashes have occυrred iп пearby New York City, 11 of which were fatal.
Iп 2019, two helicopters crashed iп New York City.
Oпe of the helicopters hit the roof of a Maпhattaп skyscraper iп restricted airspace, killiпg the pilot, accordiпg to a report from The Associated Press.
As recovery efforts continue and the wreckage is salvaged from the Hudson’s chilly depths, the world is left grappling with the senseless loss of six lives, half of them children. The family’s final moments, captured in a fleeting photo of smiles and anticipation, serve as a haunting reminder of life’s fragility. Rihanna’s cryptic confirmation has only deepened the tragedy’s impact, leaving fans desperate for answers and closure.
This is a story of dreams cut short, of a family’s love, and of a city forever changed. As we honor Agustín, Mercè, their three children, and pilot Seankese Johnson, we’re reminded to hold our loved ones close. Share your thoughts and prayers below, and join the global conversation with #HudsonRiverTragedy. Will justice be served? Will we ever know the full truth? Stay with us as this heartbreaking story unfolds.
