The American alt‑pop singer Oliver Tree, aged 32, died in a tragic helicopter collision over Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. Six people were killed on board when the aircraft he was travelling in struck another helicopter, a crash that also ignited a nearby car‑park.
Video footage shown by Brazilian media depicts an aircraft falling from the sky, flames, and thick smoke billowing from the crash site. Investigators are now probing the cause of the collision, with authorities reporting that the Military Fire Department of the State of Rio de Janeiro was summoned around 09:00 local time (12:00 GMT).
Among the deceased were Argentine content creator Gaspar Prim Diaz – also known as Gaspi – and fellow passengers Lucas Brito Chaves, Lucas Vignale, and pilot Alexandre Souza. The second helicopter’s manifest listed only its pilot, Charles Marsillac.
Tree first gained fame in 2016 after going viral on social media. His distinctive bowl haircut and songs such as "Life Goes On," "Miss You," and "Alien Boy" earned him a loyal fan base.
At the time of the crash, Tree was en route on a world tour, having performed in São Paulo on 6 June. He was due to appear in Lisbon, Portugal, on 1 July and had scheduled shows in Glasgow, Manchester and London for September.
After the accident, YouTuber KSI and Britain's Got Talent judge posted heartfelt tributes on X, lamenting Tree’s untimely death. Fellow entertainer Steve‑O shared a photo of the two together, expressing gratitude for their friendship and the bright future Tree had ahead.
Tree had also been nominated for a Brit Award in 2024 for his track "Miss You" alongside German producer Robin Schulz, and in 2020 broke the Guinness World Record for the largest kick scooter (0.16 m tall, 3.13 m long.
