R/TV Cover Horror: 6 Dead in Helicopter Crash

On April 10, 2025, a Bell 206 helicopter operated by New York Helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near Pier 40, killing all six people on board: the pilot and a family of five Spanish tourists, including three children.  Agustin Escobar, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children had just arrived in the Big Apple from Barcelona earlier in the day, according to law enforcement sources.

Family moments before take-off

New York’s radio and television outlets provided extensive, emotional, and detailed coverage of the tragedy, reflecting the city’s shock and the event’s high-profile nature. Here’s how they approached it:

📺Television Coverage  

• CBS New York: CBS News anchor Kristine Johnson visibly struggled (Video Below: watch at the 65-minute mark) with her emotions during live broadcasts, emphasizing the human toll. She noted the unexpected nature of the tragedy, saying it turned a “normal day” into “anything but.” Reporters like Dan Rice, who frequently flies over the Hudson, provided context about the river’s busy airspace. CBS highlighted the rapid response of NYPD and FDNY divers, with Commissioner Jessica Tisch detailing how divers pulled four victims from the wreckage and two others were recovered later, all pronounced dead. They aired witness accounts describing a “loud noise” and the helicopter “splitting apart,” with video showing the chopper’s rotor detaching before it plunged upside-down. Flight path data was shared, noting the helicopter’s multiple daily trips between Manhattan heliports and regional airports.
• ABC7 New York (WABC): Eyewitness News aired dramatic video capturing the helicopter’s midair breakup, with debris falling into the water. Reporters interviewed witnesses like Eric Campoverde, who described the chopper descending at a 45-degree angle, causing a “big splash.” The station emphasized the crash’s proximity to the “Miracle on the Hudson” site, where US Airways Flight 1549 landed safely in 2009, adding historical resonance. ABC7 also covered Mayor Eric Adams’ press conference, where he expressed heartbreak for the tourists who came to see New York’s “legendary skyline.” The station noted the FAA and NTSB investigations and the Coast Guard’s safety zone disrupting ferry traffic.
• NBC New York: NBC aired chilling footage of the helicopter’s descent, with witnesses like Bruce Wall describing it “falling apart” midair, the rotor spinning separately. The station reported the NYPD’s swift mobilization near the West Side Highway and Spring Street, urging the public to avoid the area. Coverage included Governor Kathy Hochul’s statement calling the loss of “six innocent souls” heartbreaking. NBC also highlighted the crash’s status as the deadliest in New York since 2018, drawing comparisons to past incidents.

📻Radio Coverage  

• 1010 WINS: The all-news station provided real-time updates, focusing on the emergency response and official statements. Reporters relayed Mayor Adams’ confirmation of the victims’ identities and the Spanish Consulate’s involvement in contacting families. Traffic reports warned of delays around the West Side Highway due to police activity, while anchors discussed the crash’s impact on tourism and aviation safety, referencing the helicopter’s sightseeing route past landmarks like the Statue of Liberty.
• WNYC: The public radio station took a somber, reflective tone, with hosts discussing the tragedy’s effect on the city’s psyche. They aired segments on the victims’ backgrounds as tourists, emphasizing the loss of children, and featured a community perspective with local residents expressing sympathy. WNYC also explored regulatory questions, interviewing analysts about oversight of sightseeing helicopters.

Across outlets, coverage blended urgency with empathy. TV stations leaned heavily on visuals—witness videos, rescue boats, and aerial shots of the crash site—while radio focused on narrative and analysis. All outlets reported the victims’ profiles (a pilot and a Spanish family), the crash’s timing (3:17 p.m.), and its location near Hoboken.