Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright has landed in Darwin, where he is expected to be charged with several offences following a fatal helicopter crash that killed his mate this year.
An arrest warrant was issued on Monday by Northern Territory police for Wright, 43, to present to Darwin officers as part of their investigation into the death of Chris “Willow” Wilson.
Wilson died during a failed crocodile-egg-collecting mission as part of the show when the helicopter he was in crashed in West Arnhem Land in February.
Wright was expected to be charged with offences including perverting the course of justice, destruction of evidence, fabricating evidence, unlawful entry, and interfering with witnesses. Two other men have already been charged over the crash.
This masthead understands Wright plans to fight the charges.
He was seen at Sydney Airport on Tuesday with wife Kaia and their newborn daughter before they boarded a flight to Darwin.
Matt Wright and wife Kaia at Sydney airport on Tuesday. Credit:Nine News
The family arrived in Darwin about noon, where Wright’s minders jostled with waiting media, pushing past cameras to a Range Rover. A television cameraman was knocked to the ground during Wright’s exit from the airport.
Wright did not respond to questions from reporters at Sydney and Darwin airports, but his production team said on Monday he “strenuously denies any wrongdoing”.
“What happened was a tragic accident that took the life of a close mate,” a statement read.
Outback Wrangler centred on Wright, a helicopter pilot and crocodile wrangler, and friends Wilson and Jono Brown, who relocated dozens of crocodiles in the Australian Outback.
Wilson’s body was found 40 metres from the main helicopter wreckage.
The father of two was attached to a line using a harness so he could harvest eggs from crocodile nests. The crews of two other helicopters found Wilson after he and his chopper’s crew failed to respond to radio calls.
The pilot, Sebastian Robinson, was seriously injured and airlifted to Maningrida.
An investigation into the crash indicated Wilson’s helicopter had struck and cut through a tree trunk multiple times.
– With AAP.
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