Local News
Pilot Identified as 36-Year-Old Sean Johnson in Hudson River Helicopter Crash That Killed Six
Authorities have identified the pilot involved in the devastating helicopter crash that claimed six lives in the Hudson River as 36-year-old Sean Johnson.
Wife and Friends Remembering Navy SEAL Veteran Sean Johnson
The incident occurred Thursday afternoon, April 10, when a sightseeing helicopter plunged into the water shortly after takeoff, tragically ending what was meant to be a celebratory trip for a visiting family from Spain.
The victims included Agustín Escobar, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their three young children — Agustín Jr., 10, Mercè, 8, and Víctor, 4.
The family had traveled from Barcelona to New York City to celebrate the birthday of their daughter, who would have turned 9 on the day of the crash.
Their trip began with plans for sightseeing and included a helicopter tour over Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and the surrounding skyline.
Escobar served as the Global CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, while Montal held the role of Global Commercialization Manager at Siemens Energy.
She was also the granddaughter of Agustí Montal Costa, former president of the FC Barcelona soccer club. The couple were known for their successful careers and love for international travel.
The helicopter, a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV operated by New York Helicopter Tours, had been airborne for only 16 minutes when Johnson, the pilot, radioed in to report a fuel shortage and requested an emergency return to base.
Moments later, the aircraft reportedly experienced a catastrophic failure and broke apart mid-flight over the Hudson River, near Pier 40 and West Houston Street.
Harrowing video footage captured the chopper tumbling into the river, landing upside down and partially submerged.
Witnesses described hearing a loud “boom” at the moment of impact and saw the helicopter’s rotors detaching before the aircraft hit the water.
Four individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others, initially pulled from the water in critical condition, later succumbed to their injuries at the hospital, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
Dive teams and emergency responders continued recovery operations into Friday. The wreckage was lifted from the river late Thursday.
Mayor Eric Adams and other city officials offered condolences and assured the public that a full investigation is underway.
Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopter Tours, expressed his devastation over the incident, saying:
“As a father and grandfather, I am heartbroken. To lose an entire family, especially with young children involved, is beyond words. I’ve been in this business for over 30 years and have never witnessed anything like this.”
Roth added that, based on video of the crash, it appeared the helicopter’s main rotor blades were missing during descent, suggesting a possible mechanical failure or external impact such as a bird strike.
However, he emphasized that the exact cause remains unknown and will be determined through a thorough investigation.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are currently leading the investigation into the crash.
The helicopter was reportedly on its way to refuel when the emergency call was made.
This tragedy marks one of the deadliest helicopter accidents in New York City in recent years and serves as a somber reminder of the risks associated with aerial tourism.
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. — Authorities have identified the woman killed in a fatal crash Monday morning that also left a child injured in Jefferson County.
According to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, the victim has been identified as 32-year-old Erica Nicole Austin, a resident of Birmingham.
The collision occurred early Monday morning and involved a passenger vehicle and a dump truck, said Center Point Fire District Chief Brandon Dahlen.
Emergency crews were dispatched to the scene shortly after the crash was reported.
Upon arrival, first responders found Austin critically injured. Despite efforts to assist, she was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:46 a.m.
A child who was traveling with Austin sustained injuries in the collision and was transported by Center Point Fire and Rescue to Children’s of Alabama for treatment. The child’s condition has not been released.
The driver of the dump truck was not injured, officials confirmed.
The impact of the collision led to a complete closure of the roadway for approximately five hours as authorities worked to investigate the scene and clear the wreckage.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team is leading the investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the deadly crash.
No additional details have been released at this time.