Key facts
- American alt-pop singer Oliver Tree died in a helicopter crash in Brazil.
- Two helicopters collided mid-air on Sunday morning in Rio de Janeiro.
American alt-pop singer Oliver Tree was among six people killed when two helicopters collided mid-air in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The aircraft crashed into an electric car dealership parking lot, destroying approximately 20 vehicles.
The incident highlights the risks associated with air travel and the challenges of emergency response, particularly when dealing with incidents involving electric vehicles.
American alt-pop singer and internet personality Oliver Tree was among six people killed when two helicopters collided mid-air in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday morning. The aircraft crashed into the parking lot of an electric car dealership in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes suburb, causing a fire that engulfed approximately 20 vehicles.
One helicopter was carrying five people, including Oliver Tree, a Brazilian music producer, an Argentine video director, and Argentine YouTuber Gaspar Prim. The second helicopter had only its pilot. There were no survivors from either aircraft. The victims could not be immediately identified due to severe burns.
Oliver Tree, 32, was known for his distinctive bowl haircut and eccentric online persona, with hits like "Life Goes On" and "Miss You." He had over 11 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and his songs had been streamed over 700 million times. He had recently been in Brazil for his tour, performing in Sao Paulo on June 6, with a show in Lisbon scheduled for July 1.
Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere confirmed that foreign nationals were on board one of the aircraft. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion and seeing helicopter parts scattered across the area. Fire services spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Fabio Contreiras noted the challenges in fighting the fire, particularly with electric vehicles containing lithium-ion batteries, which release toxic gases and intensify blazes.
Small aircraft crashes are not uncommon in Brazil. Statistics from the Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (CENIPA) indicated 84 aircraft accidents in 2026 prior to this incident, resulting in 25 deaths.