Family from Spain celebrating a birthday killed in Hudson River helicopter crash
A family of five from Spain and the pilot went down in the river just 16 minutes after the plane took off at 2:59 p.m. during what was supposed to be a sightseeing trip of New York.
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Investigators are working around the clock right now to determine the cause of the helicopter crash in the Hudson River on Thursday.
A family of five from Spain and the pilot went down in the river less than 18 minutes after the plane took off at 2:59 p.m. during what was supposed to be a sightseeing trip of New York.
NTSB news conference on the fatal Hudson River helicopter crash
The victims included Augustin Escobar, a top executive at Siemens in Spain, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their three young children — just 4, 5, and 11 years old.
According to Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, Augustin Escobar was in the U.S. for a business trip. He used the opportunity for a trip to celebrate his wife's 40th birthday with the family.
Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop on helicopter crash investigation and tourism flights
The FDNY and NYPD divers jumped in, pulling six people from the water — but none survived.
"It’s crazy you hear about things like Miracle on the Hudson, and just to see it actually happen it’s just scary,” said one person.
The flight map shows the Bell 206 helicopter took off from downtown Manhattan flew up the East side, it turned near the George Washington Bridge, and then headed back down the Hudson.
Officials say the rotor of the helicopter may have broken off in the air, leaving the pilot with no way to steer.
Crews recovered the wreckage by 8 p.m. Thursday.
