The brother of the woman killed alongside her husband and children in the tragic helicopter crash that occurred in New York last week has issued a statement.
Heartbreaking reports detailed how a sightseeing chopper providing a tour of New York City crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday, April 10, killing all on board. The helicopter pilot has since been named as former Navy SEAL Sean Johnson, whose final radio message back to base was to alert them to the fact that the aircraft was running out of fuel.
The tour’s passengers were Siemens executive Agustín Escobar, of Barcelona, Spain, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children aged 11, five and four. The family had reportedly landed in New York earlier in the day on April 10, with sources claiming the helicopter ride was part of a birthday present for one of the children.
News of the crash spread quickly online, prompting an outpouring of tributes. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the helicopter break apart in mid-air before tumbling into the Hudson River.
The brother of Merce Camprubi Montal, Joan Camprubi Montal, traveled to New York City to identify his sister’s body, and those of her family members. In an emotional statement, he said the family had “left together” and “without suffering” when the tragedy unfolded.
“As a family, we want to [remember] and honour their happiness and their smile forever,” he added.
Speaking to reporters at the weekend, Camprubi paid tribute to his loved ones. “We will never forget you,” he said. “And we will keep your smile alive every day of our lives. And that, I think, is the greatest legacy that we can give.”
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators have not yet determined the cause of the crash, with witnesses claiming to have seen parts of the helicopter, including the aircraft’s main rotor blade, flying off prior to it falling from the sky.
As per reports, the helicopter had last been inspected on March 1 and completed seven tour flights earlier on Thursday.
Last week it was revealed by Michael Roth, owner of New York Helicopter, the company that provided the sky tour in question, that the pilot contacted the base to tell them the group were returning to the helipad.
“He [the pilot] called in that he was landing and that he needed fuel, and it should have taken him about three minutes to arrive, but 20 minutes later, he didn’t arrive,” Roth explained.
“We’re all devastated. Every employee in our company is devastated. My wife has not stopped crying,” he added. “I got a call from my manager and my downtown heliport and she said she heard there was a crash, and then my phone blew up from everybody.
“Then one of my pilots flew over the Hudson and saw the helicopter upside down.
“The death of the child of any human being, is a monumental disaster.”
Rest in peace.