Reality television star Matt Wright has broken his silence to strenuously deny any wrongdoing as he prepares to face charges over a helicopter crash that tragically killed one of his best mates nine months ago.
Northern Territory Police issued an arrest warrant for The Outback Wrangler and Wild Croc Territory star on Monday following an extensive police investigation into the crash that killed his co-star Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson, 34, 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 with his wife and two young children- must travel back to Darwin to face police.
‘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 read.
A spokesman has since told Daily Mail Australia Wright strenuously denies any wrongdoing over what he described as a tragic accident.
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
‘What happened was a tragic accident that took the life of a close mate,’ a spokesman told Daily Mail Australia.
‘His immediate concern following the accident was the condition of the two team members on board at the time.
‘The next priority was ensuring the other helicopters and team members at the site weren’t at risk and that the location was safe.
‘Matt will not be making any further statement.’
Wilson was collecting crocodile eggs in a remote area of west Arnhem Land when the helicopter he was attached to crashed on February 28.
The married father of two young sons had been attached to the Robinson R44 helicopter by a 30metre line and harness before the chopper collided with a tree and crashed in the King River on the last day of the Top End’s wet season.
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.
Helicopter pilot Michael Burbidge and former NT Police officer Neil Mellon were 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’s wife Kaia welcomed the birth of their second child, a daughter Dusty Faith on November 18.
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
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.’
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 (left), pictured with wife Kaia and son Banjo has been ordered to present to a police station in Darwin by 9am Wednesday
An initial ATSB report said that its examinations ‘did not identify defects of the engine likely to result in engine stoppage’.
The ATSB’s final report, due to be published at the end of the year, has been delayed.
The results of the report are expected to be released in the first quarter of next year while NT Police investigations are ongoing.
Wright became a household name more than a decade ago as the star of National Geographic Channel series Outback Wrangler, which has since been aired in almost 100 countries.
His new series Wild Croc Territory aired on Channel Nine earlier this year and has since been screened on Netflix with a second series planned for 2023.
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)