Latest news with #helicoptercrash
ABC News
2 days ago
- ABC News
Croc wrangler Matt Wright pleads not guilty
Andy Park: Celebrity crocodile wrangler Matt Wright has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice in the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory. It comes more than three years after a chopper crash in remote Arnhem Land in the NT, which killed Mr. Wright's close friend and television co-star Chris Willow Wilson. ABC reporter Samantha Dick is there in the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory. She joined me earlier. Samantha, what is the background to this case? Samantha Dick: Hi Andy. Well, Matt Wright is the star and host of popular Netflix series Wild Croc Territory and TV show Outback Wrangler, where he offers a glimpse into the world of crocodile wrangling in the Outback Northern Territory. Three years ago, that all changed when a crocodile egg collecting mission went horribly wrong. A helicopter carrying Mr. Wright's co-host and friend Chris Willow Wilson crashed in a remote part of Arnhem Land, about 500 kilometres from Darwin, killing Mr. Wilson and seriously injuring pilot Sebastian Robinson. The tragic incident, it shocked the Northern Territory and devastated Mr. Wilson's wife and two young kids, but it's really what came next that is the focus of this Supreme Court trial. Matt Wright is facing three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice over his alleged behaviour in the aftermath of Mr. Wilson's death. Details of the exact allegations won't be revealed until later in the week in Corsh, but attempting to pervert the course of justice, it's a serious criminal offence and it can include things like influencing witnesses or providing false information to authorities. It also carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison. Andy Park: And what's the court heard today? Samantha Dick: Well, today, for the first time in months, Matt Wright attended court in person. So, we were waiting outside the Supreme Court of the NT up here in Darwin with a bunch of other journalists from around Australia. Matt Wright appeared, he entered the court, he was flanked by his wife and his lawyers. In court this morning, Mr. Wright was given the opportunity to formally enter a plea. He pleaded not guilty to all three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice. This is not really surprising because Mr. Wright has previously denied any wrongdoing, but today really was the first opportunity for him to formally enter his pleas of not guilty. The trial is expected to run for at least three weeks. At the moment in court, lawyers are just having some further legal argument, ironing out a few things before court resumes this afternoon. Andy Park: What's expected in this case as we see it play out in the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory? Samantha Dick: The case is really going to get going later on in the week. So, on Wednesday, a jury is due to be empanelled. And on Thursday, we're going to start hearing some evidence. So, that's when we'll be hearing a lot more information about the actual details of the case, and we'll be hearing from witnesses in the courtroom. Andy Park: In the Northern Territory, reporter Samantha Dick.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Outback Wrangler Matt Wright is supported by his wife as he enters plea over helicopter crash that killed his co-star
Outback Wrangler's Matt Wright has pleaded not guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice more than three years after a fatal helicopter crash. The reality TV star was charged following the crash that killed co-star Chris 'Willow' Wilson in February 2022. Wearing a light blue shirt and blue jeans, Wright appeared calm when he fronted the Supreme Court in Darwin on Monday. He entered not guilty pleas for three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice when he was arraigned, kissing his wife during an adjournment. The 2022 crash in remote West Arnhem Land killed Mr Wilson, with pilot Sebastian Robinson also seriously injured. The trial is scheduled to begin on Wednesday and is expected to take four weeks, hearing from about 25 witnesses. Wright rose to fame starring in National Geographic's Outback Wrangler and Netflix series Wild Croc Territory.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright pleads not guilty to charges after fatal helicopter crash
Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright has pleaded not guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice more than three years after a fatal helicopter crash. The celebrity croc-wrangler was charged after the crash that killed co-star Chris 'Willow' Wilson in February 2022. Wearing a light blue shirt and blue jeans, Wright appeared calm when he fronted the supreme court in Darwin on Monday. He entered not guilty pleas for three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice when he was arraigned, kissing his wife during an adjournment. The 2022 crash in remote West Arnhem Land killed Wilson, with pilot Sebastian Robinson also seriously injured. The trial is scheduled to begin on Wednesday and is expected to take four weeks, hearing from about 25 witnesses. Wright rose to fame starring in National Geographic's Outback Wrangler and the Netflix series Wild Croc Territory.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Netflix crocodile wrangler Matt Wright pleads not guilty to perverting justice over Chris Wilson's fatal NT crash
Celebrity crocodile wrangler Matt Wright has pleaded not guilty to the attempting to pervert the course of justice, three years after the death of co-star Chris Wilson. The Netflix formally entered pleas of not guilty at the Northern Territory Supreme Court in Darwin on Monday, with a trial set to get underway on Wednesday July 30. The charges relate to the fatal helicopter crash in remote western Arnhem Land in February 2022 which killed Mr Wilson, a close friend of Mr Wright. Mr Wilson is alleged to have been suspended underneath the Robinson R44 helicopter on an 100-foot sling on a crocodile egg collecting mission at the time of the crash. The pilot, 28-year-old Sebastian Robinson, suffered permanent injuries as a result of the crash. Mr Wright has strenuously denied the allegations and will return to court on Wednesday. He was supported at court on Monday by his wife, Kaia Wright. Mr Wright is most well known for his role hosting National Geographic's Outback Wrangler, as well as the Netflix series Wild Croc Territory in 2022.
ABC News
2 days ago
- ABC News
The trial of celebrity crocodile wrangler Matt Wright starts this week. Here's what we know
Three years ago, a helicopter carrying television personality Chris "Willow" Wilson and pilot Sebastian Robinson crashed in remote Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. Mr Wilson, 34, was killed, leaving behind his wife, Danielle Wilson, and their two young children. Mr Robinson, who was 28 at the time, survived, but suffered permanent injuries. This week, the criminal trial of the victim's close friend and Outback Wrangler co-star, Matthew Wright, begins in the NT Supreme Court in Darwin. Mr Wright is facing three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice, in relation to the aftermath of the accident. The charges carry a maximum penalty of seven years in prison. Mr Wright first rose to stardom on National Geographic's Outback Wrangler — a TV program delving into the wild world of crocodile wrangling in the NT and giving a glimpse into Mr Wright's family life. A second program starring Mr Wright, Wild Croc Territory, aired on Netflix in 2022. The show was pulled from the platform following Mr Wilson's death. The 45-year-old father-of-two is also behind NT adventure tourism company Wild Territory, which offers helicopter rides, airboat tours and accommodation. The helicopter accident occurred on February 28, 2022, during a crocodile egg-collecting mission on the King River, west of Maningrida, in an isolated part of the Top End. Crocodile egg collecting involves a helicopter able to carry a crew member, or "sling person", who is lowered from the chopper via a long line to access crocodile nests. The three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice that Mr Wright is facing relate to events which allegedly occurred in the aftermath of the accident. Details about what the allegations include will not be revealed until later in the week, when the prosecution and the defence give their opening arguments before a jury. Mr Wright has previously denied any wrongdoing. No, Mr Wright has never formally entered a plea. This will happen on Monday when Mr Wright is arraigned — a court proceeding where an accused person has their charges read to them and is asked how they want to plea. They can respond "guilty" or "not guilty". The trial is expected to run for at least three weeks, but it won't start straight away. Mr Wright's legal team and the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) have requested a few days for legal argument before a jury is selected on Wednesday. The jury empanelment process can take a long time, so it's unlikely that any evidence will be heard until Thursday. Representing the DPP will be Melbourne silk Jason Gullaci SC. He has indicated that Mr Robinson is likely to be one of the first witnesses to give evidence at the trial. During a pre-trial hearing, Mr Gullaci said the Crown intended to call two witnesses to "set the scene" before Mr Robinson would be called. Mr Wright is being represented by prominent South Australian barrister David Edwardson KC and Luke Officer. The trial will be heard before Acting Justice Alan Blow. Mr Wilson's wife and parents have been granted permission to listen to the court proceedings from outside the courtroom via an audio-visual link. During a hearing earlier this month, Mr Gullaci told the judge Ms Wilson was invested in the proceedings but, due to delays in the trial getting underway, may not be able to attend court in person for the full three weeks.
