Man arrested over TV star’s death

A MAN has been arrested following investigations into a helicopter crash earlier this year which killed Outback Wrangler star Chris “Willow” Wilson.

Mr Wilson (pictured) had been dangling from a helicopter in Arnhem Land, about 500km east of Darwin, on February 28 when it crashed in a paperbark swamp along the King River.

Northern Territory Police on Wednesday said a 44-yearold man had been arrested and is assisting police with inquiries. He has not been charged with any offence.

The 34-year-old TV star’s body was found 40m from the helicopter’s wreckage, while his pilot Sebastian Robinson was critically injured.

The crocodile wrangler and co-star of the National Geographic series had been on an expedition to collect crocodile eggs at the time of the crash.

He was in one of three helicopters which had set out to collect crocodile eggs in Arnhem Land.

A preliminary report from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau said the trio of choppers left Noonamah just after 7am and flew along the King River for about 90 minutes.

Mr Wilson and Mr Robinson began collecting eggs near the first staging area while the other crews took off.

The television star had been hanging about 30m below the R44 Raven II chopper when it struck trees and crashed.

The report found the sling line attachment rings had not been connected to the helicopter cargo hook, causing the main rotor blade to cut through the trunk of a tree.

“Initial assessment indicated the engine had stopped prior to the helicopter colliding with the ground,” the report said.