Two global internet and music personalities — American alt‑pop artist Oliver Tree and Argentine YouTuber Gaspar “Gaspi” Prim — were among six people killed in a devastating mid‑air helicopter collision in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The crash occurred on the morning of June 14, 2026, over the western neighbourhood of Recreio dos Bandeirantes, sending debris raining across streets and buildings. According to Brazilian authorities, the two helicopters collided mid‑air before plunging into the parking area of an electric car dealership, where one aircraft exploded on impact, setting about 20 vehicles on fire. The second helicopter crashed roughly 100 metres away. There were no survivors.
Oliver Tree — known for hits like Life Goes On, Miss You, and Alien Boy — was in Brazil as part of his world tour, having recently performed in São Paulo. His distinctive bowl‑cut look, eccentric humour, and viral music videos had earned him more than 11 million monthly Spotify listeners and a massive global fanbase.
Gaspi, a rising Argentine creator with millions of followers, was also on board alongside a Brazilian music producer, an Argentine video director, and the two pilots. Their identities were confirmed by Rio’s Civil Police.
Brazil’s Air Force and the Aeronautical Accident Investigation and Prevention Centre (CENIPA) have opened a formal investigation to determine what caused the collision. Early reports indicate that debris was scattered across a wide area, and witnesses described hearing a “loud explosion” as the aircraft hit the ground.
The tragedy has sparked an outpouring of grief across the music and creator communities, with fans and fellow artists expressing disbelief at the sudden loss of two young talents whose careers were still rising.