Brother Honors Family Members Lost in Hudson River Helicopter Crash as Cause Still Uncertain | US News
The sibling of a woman who tragically lost her life along with her family in a helicopter crash over the Hudson River has expressed that they passed away “without suffering,” and paid tribute by scattering flowers into the water.
Merce Camprubi Montal, 39, the sister of Joan Camprubi, was killed alongside her husband Agustin Escobar, 49, and their three children when the helicopter disintegrated and fell into the water in New York City on Thursday.
Also among the deceased was the helicopter’s pilot, Sean Johnson.
New York Mayor Eric Adams joined Joan Camprubi to address reporters beside the Hudson River. Pic: AP
New York Police scuba teams have been scouring for wreckage from the crash. Pic: AP
Mr. Camprubi shared that the family, originally from Barcelona, Spain, “left together” without any suffering following their sightseeing excursion above the city. “As a family, we aim to [remember] and cherish their joy and smiles forever,” he remarked.
One of their children, named Mercedes, was set to celebrate her ninth birthday on Friday, just a day after the accident. The other children included Victor, aged four, and Agustin, aged 10.
Mr. Camprubi expressed to reporters on Saturday: “We will forever remember you. We will ensure your smiles live on each day of our lives. I believe this is the greatest tribute we can provide.”
New York Mayor Eric Adams joined Mr. Camprubi in throwing flowers into the water and lamented how “what should have been a memorable holiday transformed into an unimaginable tragedy.”
He also honored Mr. Johnson, a former US Navy Seal, noting that “there are no words sufficient to fill the emptiness, the grief” that the affected families are experiencing.
Pic: AP
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have not yet established what caused the crash.
Reports indicated a loud explosion occurred when the helicopter, a Bell 206, broke apart, and authorities previously mentioned they were examining claims of a large flock of birds being spotted prior to the incident.
As divers continued to retrieve wreckage from the Hudson on Saturday, NTSB officials indicated they were assessing the flight control system. It is noted that the helicopter was not equipped with any black box recorders.
The main rotor, main gear box, tail rotor, and a significant portion of the tail boom remain unaccounted for, according to NTSB.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Witness saw ‘parts flying off’ helicopter
Witnesses, including Aleesha Alam, reported seeing the main rotor blade detach just moments before the helicopter plunged from the sky.
The main fuselage, inclusive of the cockpit and cabin, the front section of the tail boom, the horizontal stabiliser finlets, and the vertical fin have been recovered.
Read more on Sky News:
Menendez resentencing next week
Dozens dead in missile attack
‘Indirect’ US-Iran nuclear talks
The helicopter had its most recent inspection on March 1 and had successfully completed seven tour flights earlier on Thursday.
The incident occurred during the helicopter’s eighth flight of the day, as per NTSB reports.
This accident follows closely on the heels of an incident where 67 individuals lost their lives when an army helicopter and American Airlines jet collided over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C.
