Outback Wrangler Matt Wright is accused of hiding part of his multi-million dollar fortune following the death of his TV sidekick, while a heartbroken widow files a lawsuit over tragic helicopter crash
Outback Wrangler Matt Wright is accused of trying to hide part of his multi-million dollar fortune from the widow who is suing over the death of her husband, who was Wright’s TV sidekick.
Father-of-two Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson died in a helicopter crash at King River in the Northern Territory while on a crocodile egg collecting trip on February 28, 2022.
The devastating accident left pilot Sebastian Robinson paralyzed and Wright is facing criminal charges in connection with the tragedy.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) determined that the helicopter likely ran out of fuel and that Wilson died in a fatal fall when the harness he was hanging from under the aircraft came loose.
The ATSB report criticized the safety management system of helicopter company Helibrook, which is run by Wright, and the risk management of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
Mr Wilson’s widow, Danielle, is now suing Helibrook and CASA and a hearing was held at the Federal Court in Sydney on Friday to determine whether Wright should be added personally to the claim and his significant assets frozen.
Ms Wilson’s legal team argued that Wright’s interest in his Tiwi Island Retreat, a ‘glamping’ resort off the NT coast, had been transferred to a trust since the incident and that more of his assets were beyond the reach of any court order could be placed in Mrs. Wilson’s home. favor.
Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright (pictured with his wife Kaia) piloted Helibrook who piloted the helicopter on which Chris Wilson dangled from a harness to collect crocodile eggs
In a separate case, police allege Wright flew to the crash site with three others and interfered with evidence at the crash site (pictured) in an attempt to pervert the course of justice
Tiwi Island Retreat, located on Bathurst Island northwest of Darwin, bills itself as an ‘unparalleled wilderness experience’ where interstate and international guests have the choice of staying in beachfront villas and luxury ‘glamping’ tents.
As well as a range of leisure facilities and tours, there is a restaurant and bar serving dishes ‘accented by Asian spices and bush tucker’ and featuring a fireplace and smoker where guests are encouraged to help prepare their own seafood.
Helibrook and Mr Wright’s lawyer, Darryn Kelly, argued that his client’s transfer of his interest in Tiwi Island Retreat was ‘business as usual’ and that extensive research of ASIC documents found no other example of similar transfers.
He argued that Ms Wilson’s team needed to establish that there was a deliberate and “sinister” attempt by Mr Wright to hide assets, which was not the case.
“Otherwise we would have this in every case, in fact” “I’m going to sue you, so you should now be required to show proof of your assets and convince me that you won’t do anything with them,” said Mr. Kelly said.
Mr Wright transferred his interest in Tiwi Island Retreat (pictured) off the coast of Darwin to a trust which the legal team of Mr Wilson’s widow argued was an attempt to ‘frustrate the court’.
Located on Bathurst Island in the Tiwi Islands group, the resort bills itself as an ‘unparalleled wilderness experience’
Judge Raper sided with Mr. Wright’s attorney, saying there was no evidence that Mr. Wright attempted to move assets beyond the reach of the court
Judge Elizabeth Raper sided with Kelly and refused the order to freeze Wright’s assets, saying there was limited evidence that he had tried to “frustrate” any possible judgment.
“I am not satisfied that sufficient evidence has been presented to me as a result of this turn of events to issue this order,” she said.
She also noted that the transfer of the interest in Tiwi Island Retreat took place well before Mr Wright was aware of Ms Wilson’s civil case, which she filed late last year.
The issue of whether Mr Wright should be personally added as a party to the claim has been adjourned and will appear in court on April 10.
Mr Kelly told the court his client had no legal duty of care to Mr Wilson, because he was the helicopter’s owner or for any other reason.
“There was no relationship between the men that created a duty of care,” he said.
Mr Kelly likened the helicopter in question to owning a motor vehicle, which he said does not create a duty of care in relation to its use.
Ms Wilson is seeking costs, damages, interest, interest on costs and “any other order the court considers appropriate” for the psychological harm caused by the alleged conduct.
Chris Wilson (pictured with widow Danielle) co-starred with Mr Wright in the shows Outback Wrangler and Wild Croc Territory
Late pal and co-star Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson (pictured) appeared alongside Matt Wright in several Great Northern adverts before dying in a helicopter crash in February 2022
“(She) has suffered nervous shock and/or psychiatric damage and loss of maintenance and support from Mr. Wilson over the course of his life,” her court filing said.
The helicopter’s pilot, Sebastian Robinson, was seriously injured in the crash but survived.
An Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation found that the helicopter’s engine stopped mid-flight due to a lack of fuel.
During the subsequent emergency landing, Mr Robinson released the helicopter’s hooks and lanyard before it crashed to the ground.
Wright and his aviation company Helibrook are facing a series of criminal and civil charges in the Northern Territory over the fatal crash.
His friend, respected NT pilot Michael Burbidge, was first on the scene of the crash before he was joined by Wright and former senior police officer Neil Mellon.
The three men were all later charged with perverting the course of justice and destroying evidence.
Burbidge later pleaded guilty to destroying Wilson’s mobile phone, while Wright will stand trial in the NT Supreme Court for breach of process.
A further six charges, including tampering with evidence and threatening Mr Robinson, have yet to be heard, but Wright denies all allegations of wrongdoing.