- Two helicopters collided over Rio de Janeiro, resulting in the deaths of six people, including American singer Oliver Tree.
- The midair collision occurred above the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighborhood, with debris scattered across a large area.
- Investigators are examining all factors, including pilot actions and air traffic procedures, to determine the cause of the crash.
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL — Days after a private jet crashed before it could pick up MLB legend Yadier Molina and his family, another aviation tragedy is under investigation. This time, two helicopters collided over Rio de Janeiro, killing six people, including American singer Oliver Tree.
The midair collision occurred Sunday morning above the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighborhood in western Rio de Janeiro.
According to firefighters, both aircraft crashed after colliding approximately 300 feet above the ground. One of the helicopters fell into the parking lot of a car dealership, sparking a massive fire that engulfed around 20 electric vehicles.
Video Captures Final Moments
Footage released by Rio de Janeiro's fire department shows one of the helicopters spiraling uncontrollably before crashing to the ground.
Witness Fernandes de Freitas, who was working nearby, said he saw one of the aircraft on fire following the collision.
He also claimed he saw someone jump from one of the helicopters before it crashed.
"It was terrifying, absolutely horrifying," he said.
Investigation Ongoing
Fire officials said the severity of the crash scene has complicated efforts to determine exactly what happened.
Debris from the helicopters was scattered across a large area surrounding the crash site.
"Parts of the aircraft are scattered hundreds of meters away, so the information we have is still very preliminary," fire service spokesperson Fabio Contreiras said.
Investigators are reviewing videos, recordings, and evidence collected from the scene. Authorities are also examining whether pilot actions, air traffic procedures, or other factors contributed to the collision.
Oliver Tree Among the Victims
Authorities said Oliver Tree was listed among the passengers aboard one of the helicopters.
The 32-year-old singer-songwriter rose to international fame through songs including "Life Goes On," "Miss You," and "Alien Boy."
At the time of his death, Tree was in the middle of his global tour, with performances scheduled across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia.
The crash also claimed the lives of Argentine influencer Gaspar Prim, passengers Lucas Vignale and Lucas Brito Chaves, and pilot Alexandre Souza.
Charles Marsillac, the pilot of the second helicopter, was also killed.
Tributes Pour In
Following news of Tree's death, tributes began appearing from fans and fellow artists around the world.
Singer Melanie Martinez remembered her former partner in a social media post, writing that she admired his dedication to his art and describing his death as difficult to comprehend.
Tree had more than 11 million monthly listeners on Spotify and built a devoted following through his music, comedy, and distinctive public persona.
For now, investigators continue working to determine what caused one of Brazil's deadliest recent aviation disasters.
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