
Tourist Helicopter Crash Claims Life of Siemens Mobility CEO & Family in New York
Published on April 11, 2025 at 1:24 PM by Evance Kapito
A tragic helicopter crash into the Hudson River on Thursday claimed the lives of a prominent Siemens executive and his entire family, authorities confirmed today.
Agustín Escobar, 48, Global CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, perished alongside his wife and three children when their sightseeing helicopter went down shortly after takeoff. The pilot also died in the crash.
New York Helicopter Tours, which operated the ill-fated Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV aircraft, had posted photos of the smiling family preparing for their flight just hours before the tragedy. The images show the group bundled in winter gear, excited for their aerial tour of New York City.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene near Pier 79 after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting a low-flying helicopter in distress. Witnesses described seeing the aircraft “wobble” before plunging into the icy waters. Divers recovered all five victims’ bodies within hours.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy,” said Siemens Mobility spokesperson Elena Roth. “Agustín was not just a brilliant leader but a devoted family man. Our hearts break for them all.”
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a full investigation into the cause of the crash. Preliminary reports suggest the helicopter experienced mechanical issues, though officials stress it’s too early to determine the exact cause.
This marks the third fatal tourist helicopter crash in New York waters since 2018, renewing safety concerns about commercial air tours. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed it will review all New York Helicopter Tours’ operations in light of the accident.
Escobar, a Spanish national, had led Siemens’ global rail division since 2019. Colleagues describe him as instrumental in modernizing rail systems across Europe and North America.
The family had been visiting New York on holiday from their home in Munich. Authorities are working with the Spanish and German consulates to repatriate the victims.
Funeral arrangements are pending. A memorial fund has been established to support education initiatives in Escobar’s hometown of Barcelona.