Helicopter crash in Rio: US musician Oliver Tree among the dead

Who was Oliver Tree?

Oliver Tree, whose real name is Oliver Tree Nickell, had become internationally known in recent years primarily through songs such as "Alien Boy", "Life Goes On" and "Miss You". His track "Life Goes On" alone recorded over 700 million plays on the streaming service Spotify, while the title "Miss You" even reached 800 million streams. In total, according to AFP, the artist has more than 700 million streams.

At the time of the accident, Oliver Tree was on a world tour in Brazil. The artist, who attracted attention with a distinctive bowl haircut and a pronounced fondness for irony and over-the-top staging, most recently performed last year at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Austin, Texas, as photographs by Suzanne Cordeiro for AFP show.

Also on board the helicopter, according to police, were a Brazilian music producer, a video director, and a well-known YouTuber from Argentina. The authorities initially provided no further information about the total of six passengers of the second helicopter or the fate of its crew.

Course of the accident in Recreio dos Bandeirantes

The accident occurred in the western suburb of Recreio dos Bandeirantes, an upscale residential area on Rio's beach. Images from local television stations showed a thick black cloud of smoke over the car dealership and burning vehicles. Debris from the two helicopters was hurled hundreds of meters, according to fire department spokesperson Fabio Contreiras.

The impact immediately triggered a massive fire that engulfed at least 20 vehicles on the dealership's grounds. The fire department deployed a large contingent to extinguish the flames and secure the wreckage.

Investigations into the cause of the accident

The cause of the accident was initially unclear. The authorities are relying on the evaluation of the flight data recorders as well as video footage apparently originating from surveillance cameras in the area in their search for the cause of the accident. Witness statements are also being incorporated into the investigation.

According to AFP information, investigators are examining several possible scenarios, including technical failure and possible communication errors between the crews. An official statement from the Brazilian aviation authority was not initially available.

The case has caused international dismay. On social media, fans and companions reacted with grief and disbelief to the death of the 32-year-old, whose career, with a mix of pop, punk, and clown humor, reached an audience of millions.