Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright appears in Darwin court on multiple charges related to fatal helicopter crash
Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright has appeared in a Darwin court on multiple charges related to a helicopter crash that killed a cast member.
The crocodile trapper and media personality said on Wednesday he was disappointed police charged him in connection with the “tragic accident” and he would fight the allegations.
He is accused of perverting the course of justice and destroying evidence following the February crash that killed Chris Wilson.
Wright, 43, is also accused of fabricating evidence, interfering with witnesses, making a false declaration and two counts of unlawful entry after the helicopter crashed into trees and the ground in a remote part of Arnhem Land in February.
He appeared in Darwin local court on Wednesday with his lawyer, David Newey, and a woman – who provided support during the proceedings.
Judge John Neill varied Wright’s bail after his lawyers applied for six new conditions, not outlined in court.
The proceedings were briefly interrupted by a woman protesting over one of Wright’s lawyers, Newey, asking media to move so his client could sit down. The judge had the woman removed from the packed courtroom.
Wright’s bail was extended until 25 January when his case is scheduled to return to the same court. The TV star was excused from attending.
Outside court, Newey said Wright was “naturally disappointed that the charges have been laid as a result of what was a tragic accident that took the life of Matt’s closest friend”.
“Matt Wright strenuously denies the charges and will be defending them,” the lawyer said.
“Matt requests that the media respect his privacy and that of Chris Wilson and his family and the privacy of his [Wright’s] wife who has recently given birth to his daughter.”
Wright, a father of two, presented himself at a Darwin police station on Tuesday after an arrest warrant was issued a day earlier.
Wilson, 34, died when the Robinson R44 helicopter he was attached to by a 30-metre line using a harness crashed in west Arnhem Land.
His body was found 40 metres from the main wreckage at the King River crash site, a preliminary Air Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) report revealed in April.
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Wilson, also a father of two, was dangling from the strap to harvest eggs from crocodile nests in swampy areas while the helicopter hovered above.
The crashed helicopter was one of three collecting eggs on the day. It was found by one of the other crews after failing to respond to radio calls.
Pilot Sebastian Robinson was seriously injured and airlifted to Maningrida, before being transferred to hospital in Darwin.
A preliminary ATSB analysis of the site indicated the accident happened when the helicopter’s main rotor blade struck and cut through a tree trunk multiple times before the aircraft hit the ground.
In a statement on Monday, a representative for Wright said: “What happened was a tragic accident that took the life of a close mate.”
“His immediate concern following the accident was the condition of the two team members on board at the time,” the representative said. “The next priority was ensuring the other helicopters and team members at the site weren’t at risk and that the location was safe.”
Outback Wrangler is an adventure TV series filmed in remote Top End locations. It airs in Australia on Nine and in more than 90 countries on Netflix.
The show chronicles the capture and transport of dangerous animals that pose a threat to people, including crocodiles and buffalo.
Two other men have previously been charged in relation to the crash.