Who was Agustin Escobar, Siemens Spain CEO who died in Hudson River copter crash?

In a tragic case of a vacation that turned into a disaster, five members of a family from Spain and the pilot lost their lives after a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River in New York City on Thursday (April 10).

Agustin Escobar, the president and CEO of Siemens in Spain, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children, aged 11, 5, and four, died in the crash.

Who was Agustin Escobar?

Agustin Escobar took over as the head of Siemens in Spain in 2022. He was also the Global CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, according to a company release.

Also read: Hudson River helicopter crash: Pilot, family of 5 Spanish tourists killed

Siemens is one of Europe’s largest technology firms, a German multinational that operates in several sectors like transport, energy, industry, and healthcare technology. Its rail and mobility division handles projects connected with rail systems, transport technology, and infrastructure in several nations.

Multinational experience

Escobar was based in Barcelona, Spain, and had over 25 years of experience managing operations in Spain, Germany, Latin America, and the United States.

He obtained a degree in industrial engineering from Universidad Pontificia Comillas in Madrid, Spain.

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Escobar held various roles in the energy sector in Spain between 1998 and 2010.

From 2012 to 2014, he was the CEO of the Infrastructure and Cities Sector in Latin America. He was given additional charge as the CEO of the Energy Management Division from 2014 to 2018.

‘Key to Siemens’ success in mobility’

The former head of Siemens Spain, Miguel Angel Lopez, said Escobar’s work had been key to Siemens’ success in the field of mobility and transport.

Lopez had said earlier that Escobar was the best possible successor to lead the company in Spain, according to a report in ABC.

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Crash under investigation

The cause of the crash is being probed by the National Transportation Safety Board.

Eyewitnesses said that a section of the rotor broke off mid-air, and the helicopter spiralled before crashing into the Hudson River. Rescue teams found the copter submerged in the river upside-down.

Escobar and his family had recently arrived in New York from Barcelona for a holiday before getting into the helicopter for a sightseeing trip over New York.