PHOTO: olivertree/Instagram
On June 14, in the early morning, a mid-air helicopter collision in Rio de Janeiro killed six, including American pop musician Oliver Tree. The Sunday morning incident drastically halted the South American leg of Oliver Tree’s world tour.
Rio de Janeiro’s First Aid responders from the military were dispatched to the crash site at 9:00 am.
Authorities have released the flight manifests from both aircraft. The victims include Tree, Argentine influencer Gaspar Prim Diaz, Lucas Brito Chaves, Lucas Vignale, and pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac. No one survived.
What Happened?
Two helicopters collided, one having the pilot and 5 passengers, and another one having only one person – the pilot. Oliver Tree was in the former.
After the collision, one of the aircraft plunged into the parking lot of an EV vehicle dealership in the region. 20 cars caught fire. Thick smoke covered the skies.
Initial investigation points to human error and low-altitude space congestion. Helicopter pilots must always maintain strict monitoring of their rear and vertical blind spots, especially when flying at low altitudes.
The collision happened in an area of Rio de Janeiro known for heavy low-flying helicopter traffic. One of the aircraft involved in the collision was found to lack the necessary authorization to operate as a passenger taxi craft.
This indicates that further safety protocols might have been missed by the operators heading into this high-risk Recreio dos Bandeirantes zone.
Accident Location and Tour Details
Recreio dos Bandeirantes is a neighbourhood west of Rio de Janeiro. It’s urban and coastal, and as seen in the satellite images provided by emergency responders, the debris from the crash spanned commercial and residential areas.
Tree was in Brazil for his international tour and had done a live concert in Sao Paulo just a week before the crash. The rapper was slated to travel to Europe, with performances scheduled in London, Glasgow, Manchester, and Lisbon. All these engagements have now been cancelled.
A Life of Achievements
Oliver Tree became famous in 2016 when one of his music videos went viral on social media. The rapper was known for his unique fashion and self-presentation that included a bowl haircut, big sunglasses, and a motorized kick scooter.
He was artistically versatile, blending hip hop, pop, and electronic music. His most memorable hits include Life Goes on and Alien Boy. He is also better known for Miss You, a chart topper that he collaborated with German EDM producer Robin Schulz. It won a nomination for Best International Song at the 2024 Brit Awards.
Tree was also a Guinness World Record-setting content creator. In 2024, he was inducted into the Guinness World Records for building the world’s largest operational kick scooter. It was more than 4 meters high and 3 meters long.
Industry Reactions
Prominent figures have sent tributes from across the world. YouTuber KSI has praised Tree for his creativity and hard work. TV star Stephen Glover has shared details of his friendship with Tree, highlighting his consistent support.
Producer Diplo, who worked with him on a Netflix movie soundtrack, has remembered Tree for his artistic vision and genius. T-Pain, Bebe Rexha, and Kid Cudi have also expressed condolences.