The president of the Spanish branch of the technology giant Siemens, Agustín Escobar, and his family are among the victims of a helicopter crash in New York City, it is understood

Agustín Escobar, the chief executive of Siemens’ Spanish branch, along with his wife and three children, have been identified as victims of the tragic helicopter crash in New York City.

The family, who had just arrived in the city from Barcelona on Thursday, were aboard the helicopter for a sightseeing tour when it suddenly broke apart and plummeted upside-down into the Hudson River, killing all on board.

Photos have emerged showing the family posing together before the fatal flight, operated by New York Helicopter, a company that prides itself on prioritising customer comfort and safety.

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The company’s chief executive, Michael Roth, expressed his devastation, stating: “I’m absolutely devastated. The only thing I know by watching a video of the helicopter falling down, that the main rotor blades weren’t on the helicopter. And I haven’t seen anything like that in my 30 years being in business, in the helicopter business.”

Agustín Escobar, who was appointed CEO of Siemens in Spain in 2022, was also a devoted father-of-three. Mr Escobar, who held various roles in Spain from 1998 to 2010, predominantly within the energy sector, also served as vice president of the German Chamber of Commerce for Spain, reports the Mirror.

The horrific crash occurred around 3.15pm on Thursday, closer to the New Jersey side of the Hudson River just off the tip of Lower Manhattan. Eyewitnesses recounted the helicopter “splitting in half” before plummeting near Pier 40, with one individual likening the sound to a “sonic boom.”

Construction worker Eric Campoverde shared with the New York Post: “I was like, ‘oh s***’. I was walking home from work when I saw the helicopter going down at a 45-degree angle. Then I heard and saw a big splash. It was going fast. It was maybe on top of the water for three or four seconds before it went under. It was fast.”

Following the tragic event, New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her condolences, stating: “Six innocent souls have lost their lives, and we pray for them and their families.” She confirmed that an investigative team is present at the site to further examine the cause of the crash.