“Welcome to theustales.com.“
Siemens Executive Agustin Escobar, Family Die in Tragic Helicopter Crash in New York
In a heartbreaking incident, Agustin Escobar, a top executive at Siemens, died in a helicopter crash in New York. His wife, Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their three young children, aged 4, 5, and 11, also lost their lives. The pilot, who has not yet been identified, was the sixth victim.
Crash Over the Hudson River
The helicopter broke apart mid-air and crashed upside-down into the Hudson River on Thursday, April 10, 2025. The aircraft, identified as a Bell 206, took off from Downtown Manhattan Heliport at 2:59 p.m. local time. It headed north toward the George Washington Bridge, then looped south along the Jersey shoreline.
Radar contact was lost at 3:25 p.m. The flight lasted less than 18 minutes. New York Mayor Eric Adams later confirmed that all six bodies were recovered from the water. He called it a “heartbreaking and tragic crash.”
Shocking Scene and Emergency Response
Shocking footage showed the helicopter falling upside-down with parts missing. The tail rotor and a main rotor blade were not attached. The crash sparked a large-scale emergency response across both sides of the river. Boats clustered around the crash site near a tunnel vent, where the helicopter’s skids were visible above the surface.
You may Also Like:
Who Was Agustin Escobar?
Agustin Escobar, 55, was the CEO of Siemens Mobility for the Southwest Europe Region. He also served as President and CEO of Siemens Spain since December 2022. Born in Puertollano, a town in central Spain, Escobar had over 25 years of leadership experience. His expertise covered energy, infrastructure, and transportation sectors.
He joined Siemens in 1998 as Head of Sales and Project Management for Power Automation Systems in Spain. Over the years, he took on key roles and led multiple business units. He won several Siemens Country Awards during his career.
Career Across Continents
Escobar worked across Spain, Germany, the United States, and South America. In 2010, he moved to New York City to manage international business development in North America. Later, he relocated to Bogotá, Colombia, where he led operations with over 1,300 employees and three manufacturing sites. In 2016, his unit was recognized as Siemens’ top-performing business worldwide.
He returned to Spain in 2018 to head Siemens Rail Automation SAU and Siemens Mobility SLU. He led large-scale rail projects with a team of more than 1,000 people. From 2019 to 2024, he managed Siemens Mobility operations across Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Greece, and parts of Africa. He led a team of over 3,000 employees in this role.
A Passionate Leader with Global Vision
Escobar focused on innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation. He believed in developing strong teams to create positive impact. He regularly posted about the importance of sustainability in rail infrastructure.
Two weeks before the crash, he visited India. He called it an inspiring experience and praised the talent he met in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai. In a LinkedIn post, he wrote, “From R&D labs to manufacturing facilities, I witnessed innovation in action at every stop.”
He added, “The highlight? Our teams! Your passion, energy and commitment to excellence left me truly inspired.”
Educational Background and Other Roles
Escobar earned a degree in Industrial Engineering (Electrical) from Universidad Pontificia Comillas in Madrid. He also held an MBA from Universidad de Alcalá and completed an Executive MBA from IE Business School.
In addition to his work at Siemens, he served as Vice President of the German Chamber of Commerce for Spain since 2023.
His Wife’s Accomplished Career
His wife, Mercè Camprubí Montal, was also part of the Siemens family. She worked at Siemens Energy in Barcelona for around seven years. She served as the global commercialization manager and also held the role of digitalization manager.
A City with a History of Helicopter Accidents
This crash adds to a history of helicopter incidents in New York. Since 1980, there have been nearly 30 helicopter crashes in the city. Brooklyn Borough President Mark Levine has now called for stricter controls on helicopter traffic.
A Devastating Loss
The sudden loss of Escobar, his family, and the pilot has left many in shock. Colleagues, friends, and the global business community are mourning the loss of a visionary leader.
Escobar’s legacy lives on through the projects he led, the teams he inspired, and the values he stood for.