Arrest warrant is issued for Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright nine months after helicopter crash that killed his best mate while he was collecting crocodile eggs
- Arrest warrant issued for Matt Wright over investigation into fatal chopper crash
- Outback Wrangler star must present to Darwin police station by 9am Wednesday
- Will be charged with several offences including perverting the course of justice
- Co-star Chris Wilson was collecting crocodile eggs when he was killed in crash
Police have issued an arrest warrant for reality television star Matt Wright, nine months after a helicopter crash tragically killed one of his best mates.
The Outback Wrangler star will be charged by police following an extensive investigation in relation to the crash that killed his co-star Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson in the Northern Territory in February.
Wright, 43, will be charged with several offences including perverting the course of justice, destruction of evidence, fabricating evidence, interfering with witnesses, unlawful entry and making a false statement.
NT Police have confirmed Wright – who has been living in Queensland – has been told to attend a Darwin police station by Wednesday.
‘The man has been contacted via his legal team and informed he must present himself to Northern Territory Police in Darwin by 9am Wednesday 30 November,’ a police statement on Monday read.
Matt Wright (pictured with his wife Kaia) will be charged with a string of offences, nine months after a helicopter crash tragically claimed the life of one of his co-stars
Wilson, 34, was collecting crocodile eggs in a remote area of west Arnhem Land when the helicopter he was travelling in crashed on February 28.
Pilot Sebastian Robinson was seriously injured in the crash and is still recovering from spinal injuries.
It’s understood police have spent at least six months investigating Wright’s actions before and after the fatal crash.
Police will allege Wright tampered with evidence at the crash site.
They will also allege Wright visited Mr Robinson in hospital twice after the crash to tried to get him to falsify records relating to the helicopter involved in the crash and to delete evidence from his mobile phone, Sky News reported.
Two other men have been previously charged with various offences in relation to the crash.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Wright’s representatives for comment.
The warrant comes days after Wright and his wife Kaia welcomed the birth of their second child, a daughter Dusty Faith on November 18.
Wright recently opened up about the fatal crash and how he still struggles to speak about the death of his close mate.
‘It’s still pretty fresh,’ Wright told express.co.uk.
‘Maybe in time, you know… I’ll explain.’
Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson (pictured) died in February when the helicopter he was hanging from collided with trees and crashed in west Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory
Matt Wright will be charged following an extensive police investigation in relation to the crash (pictured) that killed his co-star Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson
The crocodile wrangler claimed his friends were ‘out doing another job with another pilot’.
‘Unfortunately, the machine went down and Willow was killed in the process. So, it’s taken a horrible toll this year.’
A preliminary Australian Transport Safety Bureau analysis of the site earlier this year indicated the crash happened when the helicopter’s main rotor blade struck and cut through a tree trunk multiple times before the aircraft hit the ground.
Initial assessments indicated the engine had stopped prior to the helicopter colliding with the ground.
An examination found no defects likely to cause the engine to stop and there was no visible damage to the tail rotor blades and drive system.
Matt Wright, pictured with wife Kaia and son Banjo has been ordered to present to a police station in Darwin by 9am Wednesday
Matt Wright (right) recently the death of Mr Wilson (centre) was ‘still pretty fresh’. The pair were cast members on the Outback Wrangler TV series with Jono Brown (left)
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