The authorities of Rio de Janeiro released on the afternoon of this Sunday, the 14th, the names of the victims of the collision and fall of two helicopters in Recreio dos Bandeirantes. Among the dead are the American singer Oliver Tree and the Argentine YouTuber Gaspar Prim Díaz.
In the first aircraft, the victims were identified as:
- Alexandre Souza - pilot
- Lucas Brito Chaves - passenger
- Oliver Tree Nickel - passenger
- Lucas Vignale - passenger
- Gaspar Prim - passenger.
In the second helicopter, only the pilot Charles Marsillac was aboard.
In a statement, the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro said the investigation is ongoing at the 42nd Police Station (Recreio dos Bandeirantes). Forensics were carried out at the scene and agents await the report from the Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (Cenipa).
The helicopters fell into a parking lot with vehicles on Avenida das Américas. At least 20 BYD brand vehicles were hit and flames spread, according to Lieutenant Colonel Fábio Contreiras, spokesman for the Fire Department.
The fact that the vehicles were electrified intensified the flames. "The fire in lithium batteries causes very high energy. It is a much more aggressive fire than a common fire," said the spokesman in an interview with GloboNews.
In a press conference, the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Cavaliere (PSD), said he knew one of the pilots who died in the accident. "I knew one of the pilots personally. There were 2 experienced pilots, with many flight hours, with a long career," he said. "It was a fatality, a tragedy," he added.
