Reality television star Matt Wright has broken his silence after a warrant was issued for his arrest in relation to a fatal helicopter crash that killed his co-star earlier this yr.
Chris “Willow” Wilson, who also starred in Outback Wrangler and Wild Croc Territory, was collecting crocodile eggs within the Northern Territory on February 28 when the helicopter he was in crashed, killing Wilson and leaving a second man badly injured.
Wright, 43, has now been asked to present to police in Darwin, Sky News Australia reported, and it’s expected he can be charged with several offenses, including perverting the course of justice, destruction of evidence, fabricating evidence, interfering with witnesses and two counts of illegal entry.
In an announcement provided to NCA NewsWire, a spokesman for Wright said he “strenuously denies any wrongdoing”.
“What happened was a tragic accident that took the lifetime of an in depth mate,” the spokesman said.
“His immediate concern following the accident was the condition of the 2 team members on-board on the time.
“The following priority was ensuring the opposite helicopters and team members at the positioning weren’t in danger and that the placement was secure.
“Matt won’t be making any further statement, but he can be vigorously defending the costs.”
Wright has been living in Queensland and has until Wednesday to report back to police in Darwin, where the crash has been under investigation for greater than six months.
The 43-year-old flew to the scene of the crash in one other helicopter with three other people.
Two of those people – pilot Michael Burbidge and police officer Neil Mellon – have since been charged with plenty of offenses, including destroying evidence.
Each remain before the courts.
Former senior acting sergeant Mellon has been charged with 35 offenses and can return to court on December 7.
His charges include attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroying evidence and making false declarations.
Burbidge will return to court on January 25 on 4 charges, including attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroy evidence, making false declarations and fabricating evidence.
In the times after the crash, Wright shared a heartfelt tribute on social media to the person he called a “brother.”
“Willow you truly were an incredible person – a father every kid would want for, a husband every man would aspire to be, a son to be happy with and a mate that’s a brother,” he captioned a series of images shared along with his 510K Instagram followers on March 11.
“You’ve got left an incredible legacy – you achieved a lot, impacted those around you for the higher and created adventures that showed everyone the right way to best spend our time here.”
He said he was grateful Wilson’s family would have the ability to maintain his memory close by watching episodes of their television work.
“Mate, you were made for TV, a natural charisma and way with words that lit up the screen and made our shows what they’re,” he said.
“I’m grateful Dani and the boys will have the ability to look at you and your adventures endlessly.”
Wright’s wife, Kaia, gave birth to the couple’s second child, a daughter named Dusty Faith, on November 18.
“Willow – how grateful I’m that you simply and @mattwright found one another on this lifetime to play together,” she wrote in a tribute to Wilson in March.
“Thanks for being an awesome uncle to Banjo, he loved his Wiwow and thanks for answering each certainly one of my calls after I needed advice or to shoot the breeze, you’re the bloody best.”
Sebastian Robinson, who had been piloting the helicopter on the time, sustained major spinal injuries within the crash, but survived.
Reality television star Matt Wright has broken his silence after a warrant was issued for his arrest in relation to a fatal helicopter crash that killed his co-star earlier this yr.
Chris “Willow” Wilson, who also starred in Outback Wrangler and Wild Croc Territory, was collecting crocodile eggs within the Northern Territory on February 28 when the helicopter he was in crashed, killing Wilson and leaving a second man badly injured.
Wright, 43, has now been asked to present to police in Darwin, Sky News Australia reported, and it’s expected he can be charged with several offenses, including perverting the course of justice, destruction of evidence, fabricating evidence, interfering with witnesses and two counts of illegal entry.
In an announcement provided to NCA NewsWire, a spokesman for Wright said he “strenuously denies any wrongdoing”.
“What happened was a tragic accident that took the lifetime of an in depth mate,” the spokesman said.
“His immediate concern following the accident was the condition of the 2 team members on-board on the time.
“The following priority was ensuring the opposite helicopters and team members at the positioning weren’t in danger and that the placement was secure.
“Matt won’t be making any further statement, but he can be vigorously defending the costs.”
Wright has been living in Queensland and has until Wednesday to report back to police in Darwin, where the crash has been under investigation for greater than six months.
The 43-year-old flew to the scene of the crash in one other helicopter with three other people.
Two of those people – pilot Michael Burbidge and police officer Neil Mellon – have since been charged with plenty of offenses, including destroying evidence.
Each remain before the courts.
Former senior acting sergeant Mellon has been charged with 35 offenses and can return to court on December 7.
His charges include attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroying evidence and making false declarations.
Burbidge will return to court on January 25 on 4 charges, including attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroy evidence, making false declarations and fabricating evidence.
In the times after the crash, Wright shared a heartfelt tribute on social media to the person he called a “brother.”
“Willow you truly were an incredible person – a father every kid would want for, a husband every man would aspire to be, a son to be happy with and a mate that’s a brother,” he captioned a series of images shared along with his 510K Instagram followers on March 11.
“You’ve got left an incredible legacy – you achieved a lot, impacted those around you for the higher and created adventures that showed everyone the right way to best spend our time here.”
He said he was grateful Wilson’s family would have the ability to maintain his memory close by watching episodes of their television work.
“Mate, you were made for TV, a natural charisma and way with words that lit up the screen and made our shows what they’re,” he said.
“I’m grateful Dani and the boys will have the ability to look at you and your adventures endlessly.”
Wright’s wife, Kaia, gave birth to the couple’s second child, a daughter named Dusty Faith, on November 18.
“Willow – how grateful I’m that you simply and @mattwright found one another on this lifetime to play together,” she wrote in a tribute to Wilson in March.
“Thanks for being an awesome uncle to Banjo, he loved his Wiwow and thanks for answering each certainly one of my calls after I needed advice or to shoot the breeze, you’re the bloody best.”
Sebastian Robinson, who had been piloting the helicopter on the time, sustained major spinal injuries within the crash, but survived.
