The president of Siemens' Spanish operations and his family tragically perished in the devastating New York City helicopter crash, reports suggest.

On Thursday, the sightseeing helicopter plummeted into the Hudson River, claiming the lives of all on board, including the pilot and a Spanish tourist family of five. Identified as Agustín Escobar along with his wife and three children, they had only just touched down in New York that day, flying in from Barcelona, according to officials.

Before their untimely deaths, poignant images captured the family cheerfully gathered on the helipad and within the aircraft. The company in charge, New York Helicopter, prides itself on delivering tours over Manhattan with a commitment to comfort and safety.

Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopter, shared his trauma: "I'm absolutely devastated. The only thing I know by watching a video of the helicopter falling down, that the main rotor blades weren't on the helicopter. And I haven't seen anything like that in my 30 years being in business, in the helicopter business."

Agustín Escobar, a father of three who took up the reins as Siemens Spain's president and CEO in 2022 following a tenure as CEO of Siemens Mobility Spain, is believed to have occupied these roles according to records, reports The Mirror.

Between 1998 and 2010, he held various positions in Spain, primarily in the energy sector, and also served as vice president of the German Chamber of Commerce for Spain. Currently, there is limited information available about his wife's name and occupation, but the Mirror is endeavouring to verify the details as this story unfolds.

On Thursday, at approximately 3:15 pm, the helicopter crashed near the New Jersey side of the Hudson River, just off the tip of Lower Manhattan. Witness accounts described the helicopter as "split in half" before plummeting near Pier 40, with one witness likening the sound to a "sonic boom."

Construction worker Eric Campoverde recounted to the New York Post: "I was like, 'oh s***'. I was walking home from work when I saw the helicopter going down at a 45-degree angle. Then I heard and saw a big splash. It was going fast. It was maybe on top of the water for three or four seconds before it went under. It was fast."

Following the disaster, New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her condolences: "Six innocent souls have lost their lives, and we pray for them and their families." She confirmed an investigation team is on-site, working to establish the cause of the crash.