Producer says fear of flying saved him from crash that killed Oliver Tree

A music producer who was supposed to be aboard the helicopter that crashed in Brazil and killed singer Oliver Tree and five others says he backed out at the last minute because of his fear of flying, according to multiple reports. According to the New York Post and TMZ, producer Victor Wao shared the revelation in an emotional Instagram tribute to friend and fellow producer Lucas Vignale, one of six people killed in Sunday's midair helicopter collision near Rio de Janeiro. Wao said he had originally been scheduled to travel with the group by helicopter but changed plans shortly before the flight. According to the reports, Vignale arranged for Wao to travel by car instead after learning of his fear of flying. “I was supposed to be with you in that helicopter, but I didn’t go at the last minute,” Wao wrote in the tribute, according to the New York Post. “You told me that, since I was afraid of flying, you had gotten a car to take me.” The crash occurred Sunday morning in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro when two helicopters collided in midair above an electric vehicle lot. The collision sparked a fire that engulfed roughly 20 vehicles below. All six people aboard the aircraft were killed. The victims were identified as Oliver Tree Nickell, 32, better known as Oliver Tree; Argentine YouTuber Gaspar Prim Díaz, known as Gaspi; music producers Lucas Vignale and Lucas Brito Chaves, known professionally as Lucas Frota; and pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac. Tree, a Santa Cruz native, was known for songs including “Life Goes On,” “Miss You” and “Alien Boy.” He had recently performed in São Paulo and was preparing to begin the European leg of his world tour in Portugal next month. Brazilian authorities continue to investigate what caused the deadly collision. Police previously told CNN that forensic examinations had been ordered and investigators were working to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. The New York Post reported Wednesday that investigators believe human error may have played a role, though officials have not announced an official cause. The singer's death prompted an outpouring of tributes from fellow artists and fans. Music producer Diplo remembered Tree as someone who was unapologetically himself and dedicated to bringing joy to others through music, while rapper T-Pain thanked him for “always being different in the best way possible.”