Brazil Helicopter Mid-Air Collision Leaves Six Dead; American Singer Reported on Manifest

A devastating helicopter accident in Brazil has left six people dead, with American artist Oliver Tree reportedly listed among those on board.

The crash occurred on the morning of June 14 over Rio de Janeiro when two helicopters collided in mid-air. One of the aircraft went down in the parking area of a car dealership, sparking a fire that was later contained by emergency crews. Authorities confirmed that there were no survivors among the six people involved.

Officials stated that Oliver Tree appeared on the passenger manifest, although the identities of the victims have not yet been officially verified.

Reports from AFP indicated that one helicopter carried five individuals, including Tree, a Brazilian music producer, an Argentinian film director, and YouTuber Gaspar Prim, while the second aircraft had only its pilot.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos following the collision. A local tire worker, Fernandes de Freitas, said he saw one helicopter catch fire in the air and witnessed a passenger falling before the aircraft crashed. He described the moment as “terrifying.”

Another witness, Thamires Santos, said a loud blast shook nearby buildings and that fragments of the helicopters were scattered across the area after impact.

Fire officials, including spokesperson Fabio Contreiras, said the cause of the crash remains unclear. He added that investigators are still collecting visual and audio evidence to determine how the collision happened, noting the debris field was spread over a wide area.

Early findings from Rio police suggest human error could be a possible factor, though authorities emphasize that the investigation is still in its early stages.