Singer-songwriter Oliver Tree among six dead in mid-air helicopter collision

Singer Oliver Tree, known for hits such as “Miss You” and “Life Goes On,” has died after the helicopter he was in collided with another helicopter in the skies over Brazil. The horrific mid-air crash took six lives in total after both aircraft plummeted to the ground in a fiery explosion.

Tree’s world tour began May 30th and saw the popular singer start the first leg of his journey around all seven continents in South America. However, his journey was cut tragically short in Brazil on June 14 after an ill-fated helicopter ride saw Tree and five others lose their lives. CCTV footage of the incident shared by CBS shows the aftermath of the mid-air collision showing black smoke billowing from a fire in a parking lot where the aircraft fell.

The five other deaths included Argentinian YouTuber Gaspi, young filmmaker Lucas Vignale, DJ and producer Lucas Brito Chaves (AKA Lucas Frota), and pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac as per BBC News.

The Military Fire Department of the State of Rio de Janeiro was called to the scene around 9:00 a.m. local time. An investigation into the incident has been launched but it has not yet been determined what the cause of the crash was. “The information we have is still very preliminary,” Lieutenant Colonel Fabio Contreiras told CNN Brasil (via The Sun), “We really need to get the recordings and videos to understand exactly what happened.”

Tributes pour in for Oliver Tree

Prior to the crash, Tree, 32, had been on a world tour which he had announced in May, a mere month after parting ways with his previous record label, Atlantic Records. In April Tree also released his fourth studio album and first under his own independent record label, Alien Boy Records.

Tree was set to perform in Portugal and the U.K. in July as well as North America and Australia later in the year.

Tributes from fans and people who knew him were shared online in the wake of the news. “Can’t believe I’m actually having to type this. You’re 32 man. You should still be here.” Wrote British influencer KSI who collaborated with Tree on the song “Voices.” He added, “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 also shared a heartfelt tribute to the singer on Instagram, writing, “I was incredibly lucky to become friends with Oliver Tree. He would check in on me regularly, and let me know he cared about how I was doing. Such a great person, f—, I’m going to miss him…”

Tree left quite the impact on music fans with his and German music producer Robin Schulz’s biggest track, “Miss You” being nominated for a Brit Award and receiving over 700 million streams on Spotify.