Rebuilding Brooklyn
News12 New York
Where to Watch
Download the App
Local
Crime
Weather
Taking Action
beWell
The East End
Crime Files

‘They left together.’ Brother of Hudson River helicopter crash victim addresses outpouring of support

The bodies of the family of five will be moved back to Spain where they will be laid to rest.

News 12 Staff

Apr 12, 2025, 9:42 PM

Updated

Share:

More Stories

Mayor Eric Adams spoke at Pier 40 about the “unimaginable tragedy” that befell a helicopter pilot and a family of five visiting from Spain who were killed Thursday in a helicopter crash into the Hudson River.

News 12 reported that Agustin Escobar, CEO of rail infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, was on a business trip he extended to celebrate the 40th birthday of his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal and one of his three children's ninth birthday.

"They left together. They left without suffering. And they left with a smile on their faces and that’s important for us,” said Joan Camprubí Montal, Mercè's brother. “As a family, we want to remind and honor their happiness and their smile forever."

More information has been released about the helicopter pilot killed in the crash. He's been identified as 36-year-old Sean Johnson.

RELATED: Deadly Hudson River crash raises fears and concerns over helicopter tourism
RELATED: New York Helicopter faces scrutiny after deadly Hudson River crash

"He was a Navy SEAL. He fought to defend this country, and we want to acknowledge him and his wife, Kathleen, for her loss," the mayor said.

The NTSB is investigating what caused the helicopter to crash.

NTSB news conference on the fatal Hudson River helicopter crash

The bodies of the family of five will be moved back to Spain where they will be laid to rest.

The National Transportation Safety Board released new information and images Saturday evening about its investigation into the crash.

NTSBChopperCrashProbe002.PNG
NTSBChopperCrashProbe001.PNG
NTSBChopperCrashProbe003.PNG

The NTSB said NYPD divers continued to search for missing pieces of the Bell 206 L-4 helicopter in the water.

Investigators also began to evaluate the helicopter's flight control system. It said the helicopter's last major inspection was on March 1. The aircraft had completed seven tour flights before the accident.

The agency said NYPD divers will be back in the Hudson River Sunday to continue their search for missing helicopter parts.

More Stories

Top Stories

02:41
REChristinepwaystabbing_2026-04-15-22-15-53

2 guests stabbed in the face at Piscataway motel as officials move to enforce stay limit

01:53
Screenshot 2026-04-15 151000

Record-breaking warmth heading to New Jersey again to end the week

02:16
Chris Wright

U.S. energy secretary addresses rising gas prices and tri‑state energy challenges in exclusive interview

02:06
MTNJTickets0415_2026-04-15-22-20-11

Jury finds that Ticketmaster and Live Nation had an anticompetitive monopoly over big concert venues

01:49
REjenniwcresturant4415_2026-04-15-22-23-42

Bayonne restaurant goes all-in for World Cup with themed experience and specials

01:35
X Comet C2025

Rare comet visits our early morning sky this week

01:02
HRHUpdate8am_2026-04-15-09-03-19

Public hearing on Heights University Hospital closure canceled

02:02
BEACH EROSION TN 2

Privately funded $1M project aims to stop Bay Head beach erosion

00:38
REJP4152026_2026-04-15-22-20-22

Jersey Proud: Teeing off for a cause

00:15
EDISON FIRE TN

Firefighter injured after falling through roof while battling Edison apartment fire

00:23
AP26105587936686

Popular NYC SantaCon charity fundraiser was more con than Claus, authorities say

02:24
SumoWrestlingNJ_2026-04-15-17-18-28

Professional sumo tournament set for NJ as athletes train for historic event

00:23
Screenshot 2026-04-15 122748

Route 3 reopens after CSX freight train derailment in North Bergen

CLIFTON MAN ARRESTED

Clifton man arrested after threat at convenience store leads to discovery of ghost guns

00:24
GatewayUpdate12p_2026-04-15-12-28-31

New video shows progress on Gateway Tunnel Project construction in North Bergen

wawa

Free coffee available for app users on 'Wawa Day'

00:23
crane accident

Manahawkin father of four identified as victim in fatal construction accident at Clifton school site

00:58
Wright

Exclusive: Energy Secretary Chris Wright discusses the future of tri-state power, gas prices and the AI surge

Squirrelene Dion

‘Squirrellene Dion’ goes ‘nuts’ inside Gloucester Township home

App StoreGoogle Play Store

info

Newsletter

Send Photos/Videos

Contact

About Us

News Team

News 12 New York

follow us

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

more resources

Optimum Corporate

Optimum Service

Advertise on News 12

Careers

Content Removal Policy

© 2026 N12N, LLC

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Ad Choices