Hudson River helicopter crash pilot named as Navy SEAL veteran and ex-celeb bodyguard

The pilot of the doomed helicopter that , killing all six on board, has been named as 36-year-old Navy SEAL veteran, Sean Johnson.

Johnson had recently moved to to continue his aviation career - and was operating the Bell 206 chopper as part of a sightseeing tour for a before it "fell apart" mid-air and came at full speed. He died along with Agustín Escobar, the former President of Siemens Spain, his wife Merce Camprubí Montal and their three children aged four, five and 11.

Johnson had previously worked as a gunner's mate and was responsible for fixing equipment, according to local news outlet Gothamist. He also had a stint working in TV, and worked as a celebrity bodyguard before becoming a pilot. His devastated wife, Kathryn said the 36-year-old had only recently moved to New York to begin his aviation career. She told the outlet: "I'm just at loss for words. I don't even know what happened,' Johnson's widow, Kathryn Johnson."

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In a heartbreaking tribute posted to , Johnson's co-pilot, Earl Watters, said: "With a heavy heart I post this...Thanks to everyone that has reached out to me. Yes, the pilot of the helicopter crash in NY was my Co-Pilot and great friend on Boomer last year Sean Johnson. (Navy Veteran). The has lost an all around great person and amazing friend. He definitely changed my life for the better and I just want to celebrate his life and how he lived. Always and forever a BOOMER crew member Godspeed Amigo." The message was posted alongside a collection of photos of himself and Johnson in helicopters.

Another friend of Johnson, Niko Tiapula, said: "RIP to one of the most outstanding men I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. I wish we had one more to chance to link up and talk about the success we’ve had in our lives since the last time we saw each other. You will be greatly missed. Til Valhalla, brother."

Johnson, from Chicago, Illinois, studied commercial piloting at Southern Utah University, and according to his Facebook profile, he was also a student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide. Just weeks before the fatal crash, he posted a video from the cockpit of a flight above Manhattan.

In a moving tribute posted online, his friend Remi Adeleke said: "Sean came from very humble beginnings — but he never let that define or limit him. If anything, it fueled him. He had a quiet determination, a spirit of resilience and a heart that always looked out for others."