Funerals held in Spain for family killed in NYC helicopter crash

A funeral was held Tuesday for the Spanish family killed earlier this month in a New York City helicopter crash.

Agustin Escobar, 49, Mercè Camprubí Montal, 39, and their three children, Victor, 4, Mercedes, 8, and Agustin, 10, were killed on April 10 when the helicopter they were taking a sightseeing tour in broke apart midair and crashed into the Hudson River between New York City and New Jersey.

The tour was intended to celebrate the middle child’s birthday.

Seankese “Sean” Johnson, a 36-year-old U.S. Navy veteran and the helicopter’s pilot, was also killed in the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration grounded New York Helicopter, the tour company, days after the crash and put temporary flight restrictions around the crash site.

The National Transportation Safety Board said the chopper had no flight recorders and hadn’t been inspected in over a month.

At least 38 people have died in helicopter accidents in New York City since 1977.

Tuesday’s funerals were held at a Barcelona church where a capacity crowd, including Catalonia’s regional leader Salvador Illa and Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni, mourned the family.

“We have been in pain for the last 11 days, but they will always remain in our memories and remind us from up high to never lose our ability to smile,” Joan Camprubi, the woman’s father, said during the service.

The service concluded with a slideshow of happier moments in the family’s life while Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” played over speakers.

Escobar was global CEO of rail infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, while his wife, Mercè Camprubí Montal worked for Siemens Energy, a separate company.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic helicopter crash in which Agustin Escobar and his family lost their lives. Our heartfelt condolences go out to all their loved ones,” Siemens said in a statement earlier this month.