Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright seeking to make plea deal over NT chopper crash that killed his mate Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson
Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright plans to take a plea deal on charges that he tampered with evidence following a fatal helicopter crash that killed TV co-star Chris Wilson.
Lawyers for Wright have informed the Northern Territory High Council last thursday they are negotiating with prosecutors after their mr wright was charged with attempted perverting of the course of justice, according to reports from NT news.
The charges relate to the aftermath of the helicopter crash that claimed the life of Mr Wilson, who was killed on February 28, 2022, while on an egg collection mission to the crocodile-infested swamps of the Northern Territory’s western Arnhem Land.
The father-of-two was hanging in a sling from a lifeline 30 meters below a helicopter piloted by Seb Robinson when crash investigators believed the helicopter had run out of fuel.
Mr Wright was not present when the crash occurred but traveled to the site after hearing the helicopter had crashed.
The charge is not related to Mr. Wilson’s death, but Mr. Wright is accused of disrupting the trial by allegedly destroying evidence after the helicopter crashed.
Matt Wright (pictured center) still plans to take a plea deal on charges that he tampered with evidence following a fatal helicopter crash that killed fellow TV host Chris Wilson
In a separate case, Mr Wright has also been charged with failing to comply with health and safety duties and reckless conduct likely to cause death or injury following a Worksafe NT investigation.
The Worksafe investigation led to Wright and his company Helibrook being charged in February ‘for their failure to keep aircraft safe and allowing the aircraft to be used when it was unsafe’.
An NT WorkSafe spokesperson said an investigation “has revealed sufficient evidence to allege that Helibrook Pty Ltd and Mr Wright engaged in conduct intended to reduce the actual number of flying hours completed by the aircraft in the Helibrook fleet over a period of time.” have built up over a longer period of time, to falsify’.
Wright’s company owned the helicopter used in the egg collection mission when Mr Wilson was killed.
Mr Wilson (pictured right) fell to his death in 2022 during an egg collection mission to the crocodile-infested swamps of the Northern Territory’s western Arnhem Land
Mr. Wright also faces a civil case brought by Mr. Wilson’s widow, Danielle Wilson.
Mrs Wilson is suing Wright and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for alleged ‘wrongful acts or omissions’ that caused or contributed to her husband’s death.
Wright had previously stated that he hoped his remaining criminal charges would be dropped once negotiations on the perverting the course of justice charge were completed.
That case has been adjourned and will be heard by the Northern Territory Supreme Court on August 1.
