• A sightseeing helicopter crashed into New York's Hudson River, killing all six aboard, including a family of five from Spain.
• The victims included Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife, Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their three children.
• The helicopter was identified as a Bell 206, operated by New York Helicopter Tours, and crashed shortly after takeoff.

A tragic accident occurred Thursday afternoon when a sightseeing helicopter plunged into the Hudson River near the New Jersey shoreline, resulting in the deaths of all six people on board. Among the victims were a family of Spanish tourists, including three young children, who were aboard the helicopter to celebrate a birthday. The deceased family members have been identified as Agustin Escobar, a 49-year-old executive with Siemens Mobility, along with his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal and their children, aged 4, 5, and 11.

The helicopter, a Bell 206, was operated by New York Helicopter and had taken off from the Downtown Manhattan heliport at approximately 3:00 PM. Just minutes into the flight, it reportedly went out of control and crashed into the river near Pier 40 at around 3:15 PM. Eyewitnesses described seeing parts of the helicopter falling from the sky before it hit the water, which was at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

The pilot, identified as Seankese Johnson, a 36-year-old US Navy veteran, also perished in the crash. According to reports, Johnson had around 800 flight hours of experience when he radioed about needing fuel shortly before the incident.

Authorities, including the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), are conducting an investigation into the crash and its possible causes. Preliminary evidence suggests that there may have been a catastrophic mechanical failure, leading to the disintegration of the helicopter in mid-air.

The accident is part of a rising concern regarding aviation safety in the United States, especially in the New York City area where multiple fatal crashes have occurred over the years. Local officials have reiterated calls for stricter regulations on helicopter flights over populated areas.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed his condolences, stating, “Our hearts go out to the families of the victims. This is a heartbreaking tragedy.”

For further updates on the investigation, follow news from ABC News and CBS News.