Latest news with #NTPolice
ABC News
15 hours ago
- Health
- ABC News
GP blames 'rotten' culture in NT Police for Michael Deutrom's death and other officer suicides
A doctor who treated a constable that later took his own life has blamed a "rotten culture" within the Northern Territory Police Force for the suicide, while defending his treatment plan to a coronial inquest. Warning: This story contains references to suicide and self-harm and will be distressing for some readers. Constable Michael Deutrom was one of three NT Police officers who took their own life in the first half 2022. Throughout his career he faced several traumas, including an attempt to rescue a driver from a burning car as a young constable, intense scrutiny over his role in an arrest, and a false sexual assault allegation. A coronial inquest in Darwin is examining the pressures he faced at work and the treatment he received. The inquiry heard Constable Deutrom had taken personal leave from his posting — as one of two officers in the remote Central Australian community of Kintore — where he described feeling like he was constantly "on call", sleeping just three hours per night. General practitioner Justin Sykes had treated Constable Deutrom for anxiety, depression and suspected PTSD, tearing up on Tuesday as he addressed the late officer's family and describing him as a "gentle, beautiful man". "It was a privilege serving Michael," the GP said. Dr Sykes was cross-examined about his decision not to refer Constable Deutrom to a psychiatrist at the time, despite the officer disclosing he'd had some hallucinations and thoughts of suicide. The doctor told the inquest he had treated multiple officers for mental health concerns around the same time and blamed NT Police's "rotten culture" for the deaths of Constable Deutrom and other police officers who died by suicide. "I had police at that time who were being prosecuted, I had police who were prosecuting who were under an immense amount of stress." Dr Sykes later clarified that he was referring to the fatal November 2019 police shooting of Kumanjayi Walker and subsequent prosecution of then-constable Zachary Rolfe. Mr Rolfe was acquitted of criminal wrongdoing in relation to Mr Walker's death in custody. Dr Sykes told the inquest there was a culture within the police force of "feeling unsafe", and he believed Constable Deutrom "knew, whether small or non-existent … allegations against him" would leave the officer "hung out to dry". The GP referenced comments Constable Deutrom had made to his psychologist about his experience of being "extensively" cross-examined during an unrelated coronial inquest, which probed the death of a man the officer had helped arrest. "I had very junior police [officers] going to very remote, very challenging places, they were being burnt out and coming back as wrecks," he said. "This is a rotten culture within the NT police force [at the time], that sacrificed very good people." Last month, after an inquest into Mr Walker's death, NT Coroner Elisabeth Armitage found NT Police bore the "hallmarks of institutional racism". While Dr Sykes said he was seriously concerned about Constable Deutrom's health, he said did not believe the officer was at "imminent risk" of attempting to take his own life. The inquest heard the GP prescribed an SNRI anti-depressant medication and benzodiazepam to help Constable Deutrom sleep, before the officer flew to Adelaide to stay with his parents. Despite the officer disclosing thoughts of suicide on two occasions and hallucinations on one occasion, Dr Sykes did not refer him to a psychiatrist. He told the inquest he believed it would have taken Constable Deutrom six months to get an appointment, and a psychiatrist would have offered a similar treatment plan. Dr Sykes said the decision not to refer Constable Deutrom was "reasonable" at the time but said, in hindsight, he needed a psychiatrist. He told the inquest he had not been aware of a program within police's wellbeing unit which fast-tracked psychiatrist appointments. Under cross-examination Dr Sykes also admitted that an increased dosage of the SNRI medication could lead to better outcomes in people at risk of suicide. The inquest into Mr Deutrom's death continues on Wednesday, where NT Police is expected to give evidence.
The Advertiser
15 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Young pilots idolised reality TV star, court told
A pilot panicked and lied to air crash investigators after a helicopter accident that killed Outback Wrangler co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson, a court has been told. Sebastian Robinson, who was left a paraplegic by the February 2022 crash in remote swampland in the Northern Territory, on Tuesday gave evidence in the trial of reality TV star Matt Wright. Wright has pleaded not guilty to three charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice. Prosecutors allege he was worried crash investigators would discover that flight-time meters were disconnected regularly to extend flying hours beyond official thresholds and paperwork was falsified. Mr Wilson was slung on a line below a chopper during a crocodile-egg collecting mission when he plunged to his death. The aircraft then crashed, seriously injuring Mr Robinson, who on Tuesday appeared by video link in a wheelchair. Questioned by crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC, the 32-year-old admitted lying to air crash investigators and NT Police about falsifying flight-hour records and disconnecting Hobbs meters. He said he was worried he would be blamed for the crash or that he would lose his pilot's licence. "Obviously I was panicking ... I was scared." Mr Robinson agreed he must have "intentionally disconnected" the sling line from the helicopter and Mr Wilson fell about 25 metres to the ground, as ascertained by air crash investigators. When asked what might have happened in the case of total engine failure if he had not released Mr Wilson, Mr Robinson said it would have been "catastrophic", with the helicopter crash-landing on top of his friend. Mr Robinson gave evidence Wright told his pilots to "pop the clock" on their machines so flight hours would go unrecorded and service checks could be put off. The Outback Wrangler star was looked up to by young pilots who readily followed his orders despite his failure to follow aviation rules, he said. At the time of the crash Mr Robinson was head of aircraft airworthiness and maintenance control for Wright's Helibrook company, but in name only. Wright, the chief pilot, made the decisions about aircraft flying hours and maintenance schedules, he said. Mr Robinson agreed disconnecting Hobbs flight-hour recording meters and falsifying paperwork to match was a "very common" practice at Helibrook, with Wright directing pilots to do so. "He'd say 'pop the clock for this trip'," Mr Robinson said, referring to disconnecting meters. When asked if he and other pilots obeyed Wright's instructions he replied: "Absolutely ... if he said jump I'd say how high". Wright was a major public figure, everyone wanted to work for him and young pilots wanted to please the TV star, Mr Robinson said. Mr Gullaci asked him if he could detail his injuries sustained in the crash. "I can but it obviously it makes me a little bit upset," Mr Robinson replied, saying he could not remember the crash. He listed fractures of his vertebrae resulting in a complete severance of his spinal cord, rendering him a paraplegic. Both his lungs were punctured, his left elbow and ankles were fractured and he suffered a traumatic brain injury that still causes him cognition problems and mood swings. "I definitely feel I'm a different person," he told the court. Mr Robinson admitted he had used cocaine about twice a year in the five years before the crash but he had not flown helicopters while intoxicated. "Are you a raging cocaine junkie Mr Robinson? Mr Gullaci asked. "Not at all," Mr Robinson replied. The charges against Wright do not relate to the cause of the accident and the prosecution does not allege he is responsible for either the crash, Mr Wilson's death or Mr Robinson's injuries. The trial continues. A pilot panicked and lied to air crash investigators after a helicopter accident that killed Outback Wrangler co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson, a court has been told. Sebastian Robinson, who was left a paraplegic by the February 2022 crash in remote swampland in the Northern Territory, on Tuesday gave evidence in the trial of reality TV star Matt Wright. Wright has pleaded not guilty to three charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice. Prosecutors allege he was worried crash investigators would discover that flight-time meters were disconnected regularly to extend flying hours beyond official thresholds and paperwork was falsified. Mr Wilson was slung on a line below a chopper during a crocodile-egg collecting mission when he plunged to his death. The aircraft then crashed, seriously injuring Mr Robinson, who on Tuesday appeared by video link in a wheelchair. Questioned by crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC, the 32-year-old admitted lying to air crash investigators and NT Police about falsifying flight-hour records and disconnecting Hobbs meters. He said he was worried he would be blamed for the crash or that he would lose his pilot's licence. "Obviously I was panicking ... I was scared." Mr Robinson agreed he must have "intentionally disconnected" the sling line from the helicopter and Mr Wilson fell about 25 metres to the ground, as ascertained by air crash investigators. When asked what might have happened in the case of total engine failure if he had not released Mr Wilson, Mr Robinson said it would have been "catastrophic", with the helicopter crash-landing on top of his friend. Mr Robinson gave evidence Wright told his pilots to "pop the clock" on their machines so flight hours would go unrecorded and service checks could be put off. The Outback Wrangler star was looked up to by young pilots who readily followed his orders despite his failure to follow aviation rules, he said. At the time of the crash Mr Robinson was head of aircraft airworthiness and maintenance control for Wright's Helibrook company, but in name only. Wright, the chief pilot, made the decisions about aircraft flying hours and maintenance schedules, he said. Mr Robinson agreed disconnecting Hobbs flight-hour recording meters and falsifying paperwork to match was a "very common" practice at Helibrook, with Wright directing pilots to do so. "He'd say 'pop the clock for this trip'," Mr Robinson said, referring to disconnecting meters. When asked if he and other pilots obeyed Wright's instructions he replied: "Absolutely ... if he said jump I'd say how high". Wright was a major public figure, everyone wanted to work for him and young pilots wanted to please the TV star, Mr Robinson said. Mr Gullaci asked him if he could detail his injuries sustained in the crash. "I can but it obviously it makes me a little bit upset," Mr Robinson replied, saying he could not remember the crash. He listed fractures of his vertebrae resulting in a complete severance of his spinal cord, rendering him a paraplegic. Both his lungs were punctured, his left elbow and ankles were fractured and he suffered a traumatic brain injury that still causes him cognition problems and mood swings. "I definitely feel I'm a different person," he told the court. Mr Robinson admitted he had used cocaine about twice a year in the five years before the crash but he had not flown helicopters while intoxicated. "Are you a raging cocaine junkie Mr Robinson? Mr Gullaci asked. "Not at all," Mr Robinson replied. The charges against Wright do not relate to the cause of the accident and the prosecution does not allege he is responsible for either the crash, Mr Wilson's death or Mr Robinson's injuries. The trial continues. A pilot panicked and lied to air crash investigators after a helicopter accident that killed Outback Wrangler co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson, a court has been told. Sebastian Robinson, who was left a paraplegic by the February 2022 crash in remote swampland in the Northern Territory, on Tuesday gave evidence in the trial of reality TV star Matt Wright. Wright has pleaded not guilty to three charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice. Prosecutors allege he was worried crash investigators would discover that flight-time meters were disconnected regularly to extend flying hours beyond official thresholds and paperwork was falsified. Mr Wilson was slung on a line below a chopper during a crocodile-egg collecting mission when he plunged to his death. The aircraft then crashed, seriously injuring Mr Robinson, who on Tuesday appeared by video link in a wheelchair. Questioned by crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC, the 32-year-old admitted lying to air crash investigators and NT Police about falsifying flight-hour records and disconnecting Hobbs meters. He said he was worried he would be blamed for the crash or that he would lose his pilot's licence. "Obviously I was panicking ... I was scared." Mr Robinson agreed he must have "intentionally disconnected" the sling line from the helicopter and Mr Wilson fell about 25 metres to the ground, as ascertained by air crash investigators. When asked what might have happened in the case of total engine failure if he had not released Mr Wilson, Mr Robinson said it would have been "catastrophic", with the helicopter crash-landing on top of his friend. Mr Robinson gave evidence Wright told his pilots to "pop the clock" on their machines so flight hours would go unrecorded and service checks could be put off. The Outback Wrangler star was looked up to by young pilots who readily followed his orders despite his failure to follow aviation rules, he said. At the time of the crash Mr Robinson was head of aircraft airworthiness and maintenance control for Wright's Helibrook company, but in name only. Wright, the chief pilot, made the decisions about aircraft flying hours and maintenance schedules, he said. Mr Robinson agreed disconnecting Hobbs flight-hour recording meters and falsifying paperwork to match was a "very common" practice at Helibrook, with Wright directing pilots to do so. "He'd say 'pop the clock for this trip'," Mr Robinson said, referring to disconnecting meters. When asked if he and other pilots obeyed Wright's instructions he replied: "Absolutely ... if he said jump I'd say how high". Wright was a major public figure, everyone wanted to work for him and young pilots wanted to please the TV star, Mr Robinson said. Mr Gullaci asked him if he could detail his injuries sustained in the crash. "I can but it obviously it makes me a little bit upset," Mr Robinson replied, saying he could not remember the crash. He listed fractures of his vertebrae resulting in a complete severance of his spinal cord, rendering him a paraplegic. Both his lungs were punctured, his left elbow and ankles were fractured and he suffered a traumatic brain injury that still causes him cognition problems and mood swings. "I definitely feel I'm a different person," he told the court. Mr Robinson admitted he had used cocaine about twice a year in the five years before the crash but he had not flown helicopters while intoxicated. "Are you a raging cocaine junkie Mr Robinson? Mr Gullaci asked. "Not at all," Mr Robinson replied. The charges against Wright do not relate to the cause of the accident and the prosecution does not allege he is responsible for either the crash, Mr Wilson's death or Mr Robinson's injuries. The trial continues. A pilot panicked and lied to air crash investigators after a helicopter accident that killed Outback Wrangler co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson, a court has been told. Sebastian Robinson, who was left a paraplegic by the February 2022 crash in remote swampland in the Northern Territory, on Tuesday gave evidence in the trial of reality TV star Matt Wright. Wright has pleaded not guilty to three charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice. Prosecutors allege he was worried crash investigators would discover that flight-time meters were disconnected regularly to extend flying hours beyond official thresholds and paperwork was falsified. Mr Wilson was slung on a line below a chopper during a crocodile-egg collecting mission when he plunged to his death. The aircraft then crashed, seriously injuring Mr Robinson, who on Tuesday appeared by video link in a wheelchair. Questioned by crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC, the 32-year-old admitted lying to air crash investigators and NT Police about falsifying flight-hour records and disconnecting Hobbs meters. He said he was worried he would be blamed for the crash or that he would lose his pilot's licence. "Obviously I was panicking ... I was scared." Mr Robinson agreed he must have "intentionally disconnected" the sling line from the helicopter and Mr Wilson fell about 25 metres to the ground, as ascertained by air crash investigators. When asked what might have happened in the case of total engine failure if he had not released Mr Wilson, Mr Robinson said it would have been "catastrophic", with the helicopter crash-landing on top of his friend. Mr Robinson gave evidence Wright told his pilots to "pop the clock" on their machines so flight hours would go unrecorded and service checks could be put off. The Outback Wrangler star was looked up to by young pilots who readily followed his orders despite his failure to follow aviation rules, he said. At the time of the crash Mr Robinson was head of aircraft airworthiness and maintenance control for Wright's Helibrook company, but in name only. Wright, the chief pilot, made the decisions about aircraft flying hours and maintenance schedules, he said. Mr Robinson agreed disconnecting Hobbs flight-hour recording meters and falsifying paperwork to match was a "very common" practice at Helibrook, with Wright directing pilots to do so. "He'd say 'pop the clock for this trip'," Mr Robinson said, referring to disconnecting meters. When asked if he and other pilots obeyed Wright's instructions he replied: "Absolutely ... if he said jump I'd say how high". Wright was a major public figure, everyone wanted to work for him and young pilots wanted to please the TV star, Mr Robinson said. Mr Gullaci asked him if he could detail his injuries sustained in the crash. "I can but it obviously it makes me a little bit upset," Mr Robinson replied, saying he could not remember the crash. He listed fractures of his vertebrae resulting in a complete severance of his spinal cord, rendering him a paraplegic. Both his lungs were punctured, his left elbow and ankles were fractured and he suffered a traumatic brain injury that still causes him cognition problems and mood swings. "I definitely feel I'm a different person," he told the court. Mr Robinson admitted he had used cocaine about twice a year in the five years before the crash but he had not flown helicopters while intoxicated. "Are you a raging cocaine junkie Mr Robinson? Mr Gullaci asked. "Not at all," Mr Robinson replied. The charges against Wright do not relate to the cause of the accident and the prosecution does not allege he is responsible for either the crash, Mr Wilson's death or Mr Robinson's injuries. The trial continues.
The Advertiser
7 days ago
- The Advertiser
Outback Wrangler star 'tampered with helicopter dash'
Reality TV star Matt Wright tampered with the dashboard of a helicopter after a fatal crash and falsely reported its fuel tank level, a jury has heard. The Outback Wrangler star's trial began on Wednesday, more than three years after Wright's mate and co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson died in the outback chopper crash that left pilot Sebastian Robinson a paraplegic. Wright has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice following the February 2022 incident in the Northern Territory. The trial got underway in the Supreme Court in Darwin with crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC outlining his case to the jury. None of the charges related to the cause of the crash and it was not alleged Wright was responsible for it, the death of Mr Wilson or Mr Robinson's injuries, Mr Gullaci said. The Crown case was Wright did not properly record helicopter flying hours and was concerned that crash investigations would uncover that, leading to charges against him and his companies. The jurors were told part of the evidence would be covertly recorded conversations of Wright and others at his home and on his phone, using listening devices. Mr Wilson died doing something "incredibly brave", dangling from a helicopter to collect crocodile eggs along the King River in Arnhem Land, Mr Gullaci said. He and Mr Robinson were working for Wright to lawfully collect the eggs for sale to crocodile farms. On the day of the crash, Wright was aware there would be investigations by aviation safety authorities and NT Police, leading to possible charges, Mr Gullaci said. Wright was the chief pilot, CEO and head of flight operations at his company Helibrook, Mr Gullaci said. As holder of an air operating certificate he was required to abide by all Australian civil aviation regulations to ensure safe operations. The Robinson R44 helicopter had a maximum flying-hour threshold of 2200 hours, at which time an operator had to decide to retire the aircraft or give it an overhaul costing more than $400,000. The case was about Wright engaging in practices to not properly record flying hours, including evidence that Hobbs flight-time recording meters were deliberately disconnected, Mr Gullaci said. "If you don't properly record service hours, you put off the maintenance and service requirements. It's a way of extending the life of the aircraft." That meant the 2200-hour limit could be passed by hundreds of hours and that affected airworthiness, Mr Gullaci said. The prosecution case was Wright was aware his pilots routinely disconnected Hobbs meters and did not accurately record their flying hours in log books - to make sure the meters and log books matched. The jury was told they would hear covertly recorded conversations between Wright and his wife Kaia in which he said: "I don't write shit down ... I will be guilty of not keeping my paperwork up to speed." They would also hear from pilots that Wright regularly asked them not to record flying hours in their log books. Investigations concluded the crashed helicopter was likely over its 2200 hours and its Hobbs meter was not working, Mr Gullaci said. "The rules are it shouldn't have been flying." Wright immediately choppered to the crash site on the day and "played around with the dash", the Crown alleging he was trying to see if the Hobbs meter was disconnected," Mr Gullaci said. "From the outset he attempts to cover up previous rule-breaking." Wright said in a statutory declaration to police he had seen about half a tank of fuel in the crashed chopper. But covert recording of Mr Wright showed he did not believe that, saying on the phone, "I didn't see any f***ing fuel in the tank - zero", Mr Gullaci told the jury. Wright made the statutory declaration with intent to obstruct investigations and avoid suggestions the aircraft operated without adequate fuel or there was a fuel line problem, the prosecutor said. Reality TV star Matt Wright tampered with the dashboard of a helicopter after a fatal crash and falsely reported its fuel tank level, a jury has heard. The Outback Wrangler star's trial began on Wednesday, more than three years after Wright's mate and co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson died in the outback chopper crash that left pilot Sebastian Robinson a paraplegic. Wright has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice following the February 2022 incident in the Northern Territory. The trial got underway in the Supreme Court in Darwin with crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC outlining his case to the jury. None of the charges related to the cause of the crash and it was not alleged Wright was responsible for it, the death of Mr Wilson or Mr Robinson's injuries, Mr Gullaci said. The Crown case was Wright did not properly record helicopter flying hours and was concerned that crash investigations would uncover that, leading to charges against him and his companies. The jurors were told part of the evidence would be covertly recorded conversations of Wright and others at his home and on his phone, using listening devices. Mr Wilson died doing something "incredibly brave", dangling from a helicopter to collect crocodile eggs along the King River in Arnhem Land, Mr Gullaci said. He and Mr Robinson were working for Wright to lawfully collect the eggs for sale to crocodile farms. On the day of the crash, Wright was aware there would be investigations by aviation safety authorities and NT Police, leading to possible charges, Mr Gullaci said. Wright was the chief pilot, CEO and head of flight operations at his company Helibrook, Mr Gullaci said. As holder of an air operating certificate he was required to abide by all Australian civil aviation regulations to ensure safe operations. The Robinson R44 helicopter had a maximum flying-hour threshold of 2200 hours, at which time an operator had to decide to retire the aircraft or give it an overhaul costing more than $400,000. The case was about Wright engaging in practices to not properly record flying hours, including evidence that Hobbs flight-time recording meters were deliberately disconnected, Mr Gullaci said. "If you don't properly record service hours, you put off the maintenance and service requirements. It's a way of extending the life of the aircraft." That meant the 2200-hour limit could be passed by hundreds of hours and that affected airworthiness, Mr Gullaci said. The prosecution case was Wright was aware his pilots routinely disconnected Hobbs meters and did not accurately record their flying hours in log books - to make sure the meters and log books matched. The jury was told they would hear covertly recorded conversations between Wright and his wife Kaia in which he said: "I don't write shit down ... I will be guilty of not keeping my paperwork up to speed." They would also hear from pilots that Wright regularly asked them not to record flying hours in their log books. Investigations concluded the crashed helicopter was likely over its 2200 hours and its Hobbs meter was not working, Mr Gullaci said. "The rules are it shouldn't have been flying." Wright immediately choppered to the crash site on the day and "played around with the dash", the Crown alleging he was trying to see if the Hobbs meter was disconnected," Mr Gullaci said. "From the outset he attempts to cover up previous rule-breaking." Wright said in a statutory declaration to police he had seen about half a tank of fuel in the crashed chopper. But covert recording of Mr Wright showed he did not believe that, saying on the phone, "I didn't see any f***ing fuel in the tank - zero", Mr Gullaci told the jury. Wright made the statutory declaration with intent to obstruct investigations and avoid suggestions the aircraft operated without adequate fuel or there was a fuel line problem, the prosecutor said. Reality TV star Matt Wright tampered with the dashboard of a helicopter after a fatal crash and falsely reported its fuel tank level, a jury has heard. The Outback Wrangler star's trial began on Wednesday, more than three years after Wright's mate and co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson died in the outback chopper crash that left pilot Sebastian Robinson a paraplegic. Wright has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice following the February 2022 incident in the Northern Territory. The trial got underway in the Supreme Court in Darwin with crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC outlining his case to the jury. None of the charges related to the cause of the crash and it was not alleged Wright was responsible for it, the death of Mr Wilson or Mr Robinson's injuries, Mr Gullaci said. The Crown case was Wright did not properly record helicopter flying hours and was concerned that crash investigations would uncover that, leading to charges against him and his companies. The jurors were told part of the evidence would be covertly recorded conversations of Wright and others at his home and on his phone, using listening devices. Mr Wilson died doing something "incredibly brave", dangling from a helicopter to collect crocodile eggs along the King River in Arnhem Land, Mr Gullaci said. He and Mr Robinson were working for Wright to lawfully collect the eggs for sale to crocodile farms. On the day of the crash, Wright was aware there would be investigations by aviation safety authorities and NT Police, leading to possible charges, Mr Gullaci said. Wright was the chief pilot, CEO and head of flight operations at his company Helibrook, Mr Gullaci said. As holder of an air operating certificate he was required to abide by all Australian civil aviation regulations to ensure safe operations. The Robinson R44 helicopter had a maximum flying-hour threshold of 2200 hours, at which time an operator had to decide to retire the aircraft or give it an overhaul costing more than $400,000. The case was about Wright engaging in practices to not properly record flying hours, including evidence that Hobbs flight-time recording meters were deliberately disconnected, Mr Gullaci said. "If you don't properly record service hours, you put off the maintenance and service requirements. It's a way of extending the life of the aircraft." That meant the 2200-hour limit could be passed by hundreds of hours and that affected airworthiness, Mr Gullaci said. The prosecution case was Wright was aware his pilots routinely disconnected Hobbs meters and did not accurately record their flying hours in log books - to make sure the meters and log books matched. The jury was told they would hear covertly recorded conversations between Wright and his wife Kaia in which he said: "I don't write shit down ... I will be guilty of not keeping my paperwork up to speed." They would also hear from pilots that Wright regularly asked them not to record flying hours in their log books. Investigations concluded the crashed helicopter was likely over its 2200 hours and its Hobbs meter was not working, Mr Gullaci said. "The rules are it shouldn't have been flying." Wright immediately choppered to the crash site on the day and "played around with the dash", the Crown alleging he was trying to see if the Hobbs meter was disconnected," Mr Gullaci said. "From the outset he attempts to cover up previous rule-breaking." Wright said in a statutory declaration to police he had seen about half a tank of fuel in the crashed chopper. But covert recording of Mr Wright showed he did not believe that, saying on the phone, "I didn't see any f***ing fuel in the tank - zero", Mr Gullaci told the jury. Wright made the statutory declaration with intent to obstruct investigations and avoid suggestions the aircraft operated without adequate fuel or there was a fuel line problem, the prosecutor said. Reality TV star Matt Wright tampered with the dashboard of a helicopter after a fatal crash and falsely reported its fuel tank level, a jury has heard. The Outback Wrangler star's trial began on Wednesday, more than three years after Wright's mate and co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson died in the outback chopper crash that left pilot Sebastian Robinson a paraplegic. Wright has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice following the February 2022 incident in the Northern Territory. The trial got underway in the Supreme Court in Darwin with crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC outlining his case to the jury. None of the charges related to the cause of the crash and it was not alleged Wright was responsible for it, the death of Mr Wilson or Mr Robinson's injuries, Mr Gullaci said. The Crown case was Wright did not properly record helicopter flying hours and was concerned that crash investigations would uncover that, leading to charges against him and his companies. The jurors were told part of the evidence would be covertly recorded conversations of Wright and others at his home and on his phone, using listening devices. Mr Wilson died doing something "incredibly brave", dangling from a helicopter to collect crocodile eggs along the King River in Arnhem Land, Mr Gullaci said. He and Mr Robinson were working for Wright to lawfully collect the eggs for sale to crocodile farms. On the day of the crash, Wright was aware there would be investigations by aviation safety authorities and NT Police, leading to possible charges, Mr Gullaci said. Wright was the chief pilot, CEO and head of flight operations at his company Helibrook, Mr Gullaci said. As holder of an air operating certificate he was required to abide by all Australian civil aviation regulations to ensure safe operations. The Robinson R44 helicopter had a maximum flying-hour threshold of 2200 hours, at which time an operator had to decide to retire the aircraft or give it an overhaul costing more than $400,000. The case was about Wright engaging in practices to not properly record flying hours, including evidence that Hobbs flight-time recording meters were deliberately disconnected, Mr Gullaci said. "If you don't properly record service hours, you put off the maintenance and service requirements. It's a way of extending the life of the aircraft." That meant the 2200-hour limit could be passed by hundreds of hours and that affected airworthiness, Mr Gullaci said. The prosecution case was Wright was aware his pilots routinely disconnected Hobbs meters and did not accurately record their flying hours in log books - to make sure the meters and log books matched. The jury was told they would hear covertly recorded conversations between Wright and his wife Kaia in which he said: "I don't write shit down ... I will be guilty of not keeping my paperwork up to speed." They would also hear from pilots that Wright regularly asked them not to record flying hours in their log books. Investigations concluded the crashed helicopter was likely over its 2200 hours and its Hobbs meter was not working, Mr Gullaci said. "The rules are it shouldn't have been flying." Wright immediately choppered to the crash site on the day and "played around with the dash", the Crown alleging he was trying to see if the Hobbs meter was disconnected," Mr Gullaci said. "From the outset he attempts to cover up previous rule-breaking." Wright said in a statutory declaration to police he had seen about half a tank of fuel in the crashed chopper. But covert recording of Mr Wright showed he did not believe that, saying on the phone, "I didn't see any f***ing fuel in the tank - zero", Mr Gullaci told the jury. Wright made the statutory declaration with intent to obstruct investigations and avoid suggestions the aircraft operated without adequate fuel or there was a fuel line problem, the prosecutor said.
Sydney Morning Herald
05-08-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Missing man found alive in desert by Indigenous group, days after police called off search
A 26-year-old former Melburnian has been found alive after spending seven days lost in the remote desert west of Alice Springs – thanks to the persistence of his community, after police called off their search. Members of the local South Sudanese community, led by the African Association of Central Australia, continued the search for Gach Top after police suspended efforts five days into their search. Roughly 30 young men and women, mobilised by association chair Chuol Yat, combed 10 kilometres of terrain for up to five hours on Monday with the hope that Top was still alive. 'The community search was a result of the police decision to suspend the search after five days … the community still had hope that Gach would be found alive,' he said. Loading After hours of searching, Top was eventually found by a local Indigenous community, who notified his family. 'He was wrapped in a blanket and was exhausted,' Yat said. 'The family, including the community, are overjoyed because many of us felt that this young man was not dead. He was found alive, and everybody was so happy.' Top had been missing since late afternoon on Monday, July 28, and was last seen wearing a red or orange puffer jacket, cream-coloured tracksuit pants, and dark-coloured runners. NT Police said the alarm was raised after 'he failed to attend work for a rostered shift that night … Gach was driving his red Mazda CX5, which was located [that Monday] morning by police'.
ABC News
05-08-2025
- ABC News
NT Police say Kumanjayi White's cause of death in custody still unknown as investigations continue
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains the name of an Indigenous person who has died, used with the permission of their family. Northern Territory Police say the cause of Kumanjayi White's death remains "undetermined", more than two months after he died in police custody at a Coles supermarket in Alice Springs. Mr White died on May 27 after he was restrained by plain-clothed police officers following an alleged confrontation with security guards inside the supermarket. The 24-year-old Warlpiri man grew up in the remote community of Yuendumu, but was living in supported accommodation in Alice Springs due to his disabilities. His death prompted a wave of vigils around Australia and an outpouring of grief from Mr White's family. A coronial inquest has been paused while NT Police investigates Mr White's death, including "whether any criminality was involved". Mr White's family has been pushing for an independent body to run the investigation to ensure impartiality, with support from advocacy groups and some federal politicians. However, NT Police has ruled out the possibility of an independent inquiry. In a statement, an NT Police spokesperson said: "The cause of [Mr White's] death remains undetermined, and the forensic pathologist is required to complete further investigation". NT Police has previously said the initial autopsy was inconclusive. The spokesperson also said NT Police would not identify the officers involved in the incident. "No charges have been laid in relation to this incident and the officers involved have not been stood down," the spokesperson said. "Investigations remain ongoing." The ABC understands one of the officers was NT police prosecutor Steven Haig. Mr White's grandfather Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves last week repeated calls for NT Police to release the CCTV footage of his grandson's death, and to hand over the criminal investigation to an independent body. Mr Hargraves has been requesting to review the CCTV footage since early June, when he met with Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst inside the Alice Springs police station following the first vigil.
