32 minutes ago
Paul Glynn Culture reporter
Getty Images
The alt-pop US musician and internet personality Oliver Tree was among six people who died when the helicopter he was travelling in collided with another in Brazil.
The 32-year-old had been on a world tour when the crash occurred over Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. One of the helicopters then fell onto the car park of a dealership, setting around 20 vehicles ablaze.
Footage published by Brazilian media shows one of the helicopters dropping from the sky, as well as flames and thick smoke rising from the crash site.
Authorities say an investigation into the cause of the collision is now under way.
The Military Fire Department of the State of Rio de Janeiro said it was called to the crash site around 09:00 local time (12:00 GMT).
Argentine content creator Gaspar Prim Diaz - also known as Gaspi - was also believed to have been in one of the helicopters, according to the Associated Press.
The other passengers on the helicopter's manifest were Lucas Brito Chaves, Lucas Vignale and pilot Alexandre Souza. The crew manifest for the second aircraft lists only the pilot, Charles Marsillac.
Tree - born Oliver Tree Nickell in Santa Cruz, California in 1993 - first rose to fame in 2016 after going viral on social media.
With his distinctive bowl haircut, he was known for hits including Life Goes On, Miss You and Alien Boy.
Tree had just begun a world tour, with his most recent show in São Paulo, Brazil on 6 June. He was next scheduled to perform in Lisbon, in Portugal, on 1 July and had been due to play dates in Glasgow, Manchester and London in September.
YouTuber KSI, who collaborated with him on the track Voices, paid an emotional tribute.
In a post shared on X, Britain's Got Talent judge KSI said: "Can't believe I'm actually having to type this. You're 32 man. You should still be here. You still had so much life to live. So much music to make. So much content to make.
"You're a legend and will always be a legend. Still doesn't feel real. Genuinely feel sick. I love you bro."
Jackass star Steve-O, real name Stephen Glover, also paid tribute to the late singer online, sharing a photograph of the two of them together.
"I was incredibly lucky to become friends with Oliver Tree," he wrote.
"He would check in on me regularly, and let me know he cared about how I was doing. Such a great person... I'm going to miss him."
Tree was nominated for a Brit Award in 2024 for his song Miss You, alongside German producer Robin Schulz.
In 2020, he broke the Guinness world record for building the largest kick scooter at 0.16m tall and 3.13m long.
Read the full article at BBC News (World) →📄Source document: Rio de Janeiro’s Military Fire Department
4 reports
BBC News (World)State / PublicCenter6 days agoUS musician Oliver Tree died in a helicopter collision in Brazil, which killed six people. The incident occurred over Rio de Janeiro during Tree's world tour. The crash resulted in a helicopter falling into a car park, causing multiple vehicles to catch fire. Authorities are investigating the cause of the collision. Other victims include Argentine content creator Gaspar Prim Diaz and several others whose names were provided. Tree gained fame through social media and was known for songs like 'Life Goes On' and 'Alien Boy'.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a tragic accident involving a public figure without taking a stance on any political issue. It provides factual details about the event, the casualties, and the ongoing investigation, without showing bias toward any political perspective.
Official sources cited
- government Military Fire Department of the State of Rio de Janeiro
- press release Associated Press
Daily MirrorParty-alignedCenter6 days agoA mid-air collision between two helicopters in Rio de Janeiro resulted in the deaths of all six people on board, including musician Oliver Tree and content creator Gaspar Prim Díaz. The crash occurred near a car dealership, causing a fire that was later extinguished. Eyewitness accounts describe the event as 'terrifying' and 'horrifying.' An investigation into the cause of the collision is ongoing.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a tragic accident without apparent political framing. It focuses on the event itself, eyewitness accounts, and the status of the victims, avoiding any ideological or partisan language. No evidence of slant is present in the reporting.
Official sources cited
- government Rio de Janeiro’s Military Fire Department
Sky News (World)IndependentCenter6 days agoUS musician Oliver Tree is believed to be among six people dead after a mid-air collision between two helicopters in Rio de Janeiro.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a tragic accident involving a well-known musician without taking a stance, using neutral language and providing no explicit framing that suggests bias.
The Guardian (World)IndependentCenter6 days agoUS musician Oliver Tree, 32, died in a helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which also claimed the lives of five others. Two helicopters collided mid-air and crashed into a car dealership, causing a fire that damaged approximately 20 electric vehicles. Authorities are investigating the cause of the collision. Tree was on a world tour when the incident occurred.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a factual account of a tragic event without apparent ideological framing. It focuses on the incident itself, the casualties, and the ongoing investigation, with no discernible bias toward any political stance or agenda.
Official sources cited
- government Rio de Janeiro’s military fire department
- government Police source (AFP)
United Kingdom