A devastating helicopter crash in the Hudson River on Thursday has left six people dead, including a family of five on vacation and a pilot living his dream in New York City.
The incident has sent shockwaves across the city, with authorities and loved ones struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
The Pilot: Sean Johnson, a Navy Veteran and Passionate Aviator
The pilot of the doomed helicopter has been identified as Sean Johnson, a Navy veteran with a total of 788 hours of flight time under his belt. Johnson, who went by Sean, had only recently started flying for New York Helicopter Charter.
His friends and colleagues describe him as an exceptional pilot and an all-around great guy.
“He was just a super good dude… just 100% friendly, not a bad bone, you know,” said Matt Klier, a friend and fellow Navy veteran.
Johnson’s wife, who is separated from him but still close, revealed that his life goal was to become a pilot, and he had finally achieved it.
The Family: A Vacation Turned Tragic
The family of five who lost their lives in the crash were identified as Agustin Escobar, 49, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, 40, and their three children, Agustín, 10, Mercè, 8, and Victor, 4.
The family was on a vacation from Barcelona, Spain, and were taking a sightseeing tour of the city when the tragedy occurred.
The 8-year-old Mercè was supposed to celebrate her birthday on the day of the crash, making the incident even more heart-wrenching. Mayor Eric Adams expressed his condolences to the family, saying, “Our heart goes out to the family members… it’s a real unfortunate situation.”
The Victims: A CEO, a Manager, and a Loving Family
Agustin Escobar was the Global CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, a position he took on in 2024.
His wife, Merce, worked as the Global Commercialization Manager for the Energy subsidiary. The company released a statement expressing their deep sadness and condolences to the family.
Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop revealed that the family was celebrating the mother’s 40th birthday and had extended their business trip to make the most of their time in the city.
Coworkers in Spain were shocked by the news, describing Agustin as “very friendly and always giving good energy.”
Investigation Underway
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the cause of the crash, and authorities are working to calculate the pilot’s flight time in the particular helicopter.
As the city mourns the loss of six innocent lives, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks and uncertainties of life. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the victims.
