Music producer Victor WAO has revealed he was originally scheduled to be on the helicopter flight that later crashed in Rio de Janeiro, killing singer Oliver Tree and five others.
Narrow Escape
In a translated statement shared online, WAO said he narrowly avoided boarding the aircraft at the last moment. He explained that fear of flying led him to change his travel plans shortly before departure.
“I was supposed to be with you guys in that helicopter, and I didn’t go at the last second,” he wrote, referring to his late friend and fellow producer Lucas Frota, who also died in the crash. He added that alternative transport had been arranged for him instead.
“You told me that since I was scared [of flying], you had managed to get a car to take me to Angra and someone else would go in my place,” he said.
Tribute to Lucas Frota
WAO also paid tribute to Frota, describing him as a close friend and expressing deep shock over the tragedy. “Now I owe you my life, brother. I don’t know what to do at this moment. I love you so much! I will never forget you! Lucas, you were pure light!” he wrote.
In a separate post, he called Frota the “most enlightened and wonderful person I have ever known,” adding that he was “heartbroken” while praying for him.
The Crash
The incident occurred on June 14 when two helicopters collided mid-air in Rio de Janeiro, resulting in six fatalities, including Oliver Tree, Frota, Lucas Vignale, Gaspar Prim, and pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac.
Reports indicate the aircraft crashed into a parking area, causing significant fire damage, while local authorities continue to investigate the cause, with early assessments suggesting possible human error.
Tree had been in Brazil as part of his world tour and had shared a video documenting his time in the country the day before the crash.
