Two Victims Of Hudson River Helicopter Crash Were Alive When Pulled Out of Frigid Waters

Two members of the Spanish family who died in the helicopter crash in New York City's Hudson River were still alive when pulled from its frigid waters, police said.

NYPD Commissioned Jessica Tisch did not identify the two people, but the family was comprised by Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, Merce Camprubi Montal, who also worked at the company, and their three children. The 36-year-old pilot, who has not been identified, also died in the incident.

New footage from the crash shows the most clear image yet of the moment in which the aircraft fell into the water as the rotor flew off. The images show the cabin falling into 50-degree water as shocked pedestrians look on, with the rotor making a splash shortly after.

A former military aviator and attorney told the Daily Mail that "from the footage, it appears that the main rotor struck the body of the helicopter, cutting off the tail of the helicopter, which created an unrecoverable event."

Jim Brauchle added that the two possible causes are "mechanical failure or excessive maneuvering" but clarified that a "full investigation is needed to understand why this tragedy occurred."

A state lawmaker is calling for a ban on helicopter tours over New York City following the crash, with Sen. Brad Holyman-Sigal saying the tragedy could have been even worse had the aircraft fallen on a densely-populated area. He said only first responder and press should be allowed to circle over the city. "There's no reason to allow tourists and tour flight operators to use our valuable precious airspace," Holyman-Sigal told ABC 7 New York.

Spanish outlet El Diario detailed that the Spanish family had booked the activity to celebrate the birthday of one of the children after arriving from Barcelona. The pilot told the base shortly after taking off that they were running out of fuel. The helicopter crash moments later, splitting in half a little over 15 minutes after taking off.