Matt Wright, the Australian crocodile wrangler known as the Outback Wrangler, has been charged over a helicopter crash that killed his friend and co-star Chris 'Willow' Wilson in February. The crash occurred in a remote part of the Northern Territory while Mr Wilson was collecting crocodile eggs suspended from a helicopter in a sling. He died, and the pilot was seriously injured.
Mr Wright, 43, was not on board but was among the first on the scene in Arnhem Land, about 500km east of Darwin. He faces charges including perverting the course of justice, destroying and fabricating evidence, interfering with witnesses, and unlawful entry.
He is the third person charged over the incident, alongside a former high-ranking police officer and another helicopter pilot. Mr Wright was granted bail in court on Wednesday. His lawyer read a statement maintaining his innocence, saying: 'Matt Wright strenuously denies these charges and will be defending them. He is naturally disappointed that the charges have been laid as a result of what was a tragic accident that took the life of Matt's closest friend Chris Wilson.'
Mr Wright is best known globally as the star of National Geographic's Outback Wrangler and Netflix's Wild Croc Territory. He also owns several local tourism businesses and has been a tourism ambassador for Australia. Netflix has faced pressure from Mr Wilson's widow to cancel Mr Wright's show, but the company has declined to comment.
