UMVA has learned that a devastating midair helicopter collision occurred over Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sunday, claiming the lives of six people, including American singer Oliver Tree, known for his hit song "Alien Boy".
The 32-year-old musician was reportedly on tour in South America, having performed in Buenos Aires, Argentina, just days before the tragic incident. Tree's social media accounts showed him enjoying his time in Brazil, playing soccer in a neighborhood just hours before the fatal crash.
Footage from Rio de Janeiro's Military Fire Department shows the moment the helicopter plunged out of the sky, followed by a fiery explosion. The helicopter crashed in the city's western zone, with one of the aircraft landing on the parking lot of a car dealership, where several electric vehicles were parked, sparking a fire that was quickly extinguished.
According to information obtained by UMVA, one eyewitness described a harrowing scene, claiming to have seen one of the passengers jump out of the aircraft before it fell to the ground. The incident has left authorities scrambling to identify the bodies of those on board, with Tree's name confirmed on the passenger list handed to aviation authorities.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the collision, which occurred when two helicopters collided in midair. The Rio de Janeiro Military Fire Department is leading the response efforts, working to piece together the events surrounding the tragic incident.
