Fans of American musician and YouTube star Oliver Tree have been left in shock following his death.
The 32-year-old content creator, known for his distinctive bowl haircut, viral videos and genre-blending music, died alongside five others after two helicopters collided mid-air over Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sunday morning.
Tree first found fame after his music and comedic videos went viral online in the mid-2010s.
In 2020, he earned a Guinness World Record after building the world’s largest kick scooter, measuring 4.16 metres tall and 3.13 metres long.
Oliver Tree died alongside five others after two helicopters collided mid-air
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Away from his internet stunts, he received a Brit Award nomination for Miss You, his collaboration with German producer Robin Schulz in 2024.
The 32-year-old was travelling through Brazil during a break in his world tour when the tragedy unfolded over Rio de Janeiro on Sunday morning.
Following the mid-air collision, one of the helicopters plunged into the car park of a vehicle dealership, triggering a huge fire that engulfed around 20 cars.
Video shared by Brazilian media outlets appeared to show one of the aircraft falling from the sky, while thick plumes of black smoke and flames billowed from the crash site below.
Authorities have since launched an investigation into what caused the collision.
One witness claimed a passenger was seen jumping from one of the helicopters moments after the collision.
Tyre worker Fernandes de Freitas told local media he saw one aircraft in flames before watching a passenger leap from the second helicopter before both crashed.
“It was terrifying, absolutely horrifying,” he said. However, authorities have not yet publicly confirmed the witness account.
Among those feared dead was Argentinian YouTuber Gaspar Prim Díaz, known online as Gaspi, according to the Associated Press.
The passenger manifest for one helicopter also included Brazilian music producer Lucas Brito Chaves, Argentine director Lucas Vignale and pilot Alexandre Souza.
The second aircraft is understood to have been carrying only its pilot, Charles Marsillac.
How have fans and fellow creators reacted?
Tributes flooded social media within hours of the news breaking.
Among those paying tribute was YouTube star and boxer KSI, who described feeling “genuinely sick” after learning of his friend’s death.
Sharing photos of the pair together, he wrote: “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, whose real name is Stephen Glover, shared a photograph of himself with Tree on social media.
“I was incredibly lucky to become friends with Oliver Tree,” he wrote alongside the images. “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.”
Brazilian influencers who spent time with Tree during his visit also shared emotional messages.
Content creator Akihito described him as “very loved, incredible, and talented”, while Lucas Vinícius said Tree’s death was a painful reminder of life’s fragility.
Brazilian aviation authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Officials are expected to examine the aircraft wreckage, maintenance records, pilot communications and weather conditions as part of the inquiry.
Just days before his death, Tree had kicked off his world tour, with his last performance taking place in São Paulo on June 6.
The singer was due to continue the tour with a show in Lisbon on July 1, before heading to the UK for dates in Glasgow, Manchester and London in September.
