ex-Senior cop Neil Mellon ended up at the centre of the alleged Outback Wrangler chopper crash

An ex-senior cop at the centre of a chopper crash that killed Outback Wrangler Matt Wright’s mate has rubbished claims he went back to the site of the tragedy with the TV star – after he was hit with 32 charges.

NT Police Acting Senior Sergeant Neil Mellon, 47, was arrested after walking into work at Darwin Police Station in August and accused of interfering with the helicopter crash investigation.

Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson died in the crash in west Arnhem Land while collecting crocodile eggs, and pilot Sebastian Robinson was left with potentially life-changing spinal injuries.

Some of Mellon’s charges include attempting to pervert the course of justice, stealing, unlawfully accessing data, as well as alleged destruction of evidence in relation to a major crash investigation. 

It has widely been alleged that Mellon was off-duty when he flew with Wright and two others to the scene of the accident in another helicopter to retrieve the body before emergency services arrived.

However, the father-of-two claimed to Daily Mail Australia – while holding on to a whipper snipper in his front yard in Darwin on Wednesday – that those reports were untrue.

NT Police Acting Senior Sergeant Neil Mellon, 47 (pictured), was arrested after walking into work at Darwin Police Station in August and accused of interfering with the helicopter crash investigation

It has widely been alleged that Mellon (pictured) was off-duty when he flew with Wright and two others to the scene of the accident in another helicopter to retrieve the body before emergency services arrived but he denies the claim

It has widely been alleged that Mellon (pictured) was off-duty when he flew with Wright and two others to the scene of the accident in another helicopter to retrieve the body before emergency services arrived but he denies the claim

‘You need to do your research because I never went back there,’ Mr Mellon claimed.

The cop was suspended without pay after he was charged, and has been keeping a low profile amid the intense spotlight surrounding the case.

‘I’ve been working and just keeping busy,’ he said, holding the whipper snipper and its rotating blades in the air.

Mellon said he knew reality TV star Matt Wright was in court earlier on Wednesday, but had not been watching the news.

‘It’s not my business,’ he said.

Wright was on Tuesday charged with seven offences relating to the chopper crash, including attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroying evidence, and fabricating evidence.

He appeared in Darwin Local Court on Wednesday where he was granted bail. His matter will be mentioned again on January 25.

The reality TV star ‘strenuously’ denies the charges and his lawyer gave a statement on his behalf after the hearing on Wednesday.

The cop was suspended without pay after he was charged, and has been keeping a low profile amid the intense spotlight surrounding the case

The cop was suspended without pay after he was charged, and has been keeping a low profile amid the intense spotlight surrounding the case

Mellon ubbished claims he went back to the site of the crash with the TV star - after he was hit with 32 charges

Mellon ubbished claims he went back to the site of the crash with the TV star – after he was hit with 32 charges

‘Matt Wright strenuously denied these charges,’ said his lawyer David Newey. 

‘Regulatory investigations have found no defect in the helicopter. Matt requests that the media respects his privacy and Wilson’s, and his wife.

‘Matt is naturally disappointed that the charges have been laid.’ 

A spokesman for Wright had earlier added: ‘What happened was a tragic accident that took the life of a close mate.

‘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, but he will be vigorously defending the charges.’

Matt Wright (pictured with wife Kaia) was on Tuesday charged with seven offences relating to the chopper crash, including attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroying evidence, and fabricating evidence

Matt Wright (pictured with wife Kaia) was on Tuesday charged with seven offences relating to the chopper crash, including attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroying evidence, and fabricating evidence

Chris 'Willow' Wilson (pictured) died in the crash in west Arnhem Land while collecting crocodile eggs, and pilot Sebastian Robinson was left with potentially life-changing spinal injuries

Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson (pictured) died in the crash in west Arnhem Land while collecting crocodile eggs, and pilot Sebastian Robinson was left with potentially life-changing spinal injuries

Mellon was slapped with cuffs while walking into work at Darwin Police Station in August following a six-month police investigation into the crash. 

After his arrest, the home he shared with his wife and children was raided and weapons and fireworks were allegedly seized for examination.

Along with offences relating to the chopper crash, he was hit with additional charges relating to weapon storage and fireworks possession.

NT Police Assistant Commissioner Michael White previously said police will allege Sgt Mellon’s actions ‘undermined the integrity’ of the NT police force and community.

‘It’s important to recognise that the behaviour of this officer is going to be before the courts and the matter is in relation to the damage and mistrust of his position within the police force,’ he said. 

‘It is a very disappointing, upsetting and frustrating event that has occurred and the wellbeing of all our officers is paramount in this circumstance.’ 

Mellon was slapped with cuffs while walking into work at Darwin Police Station in August following a six-month police investigation into the crash (pictured)

Mellon was slapped with cuffs while walking into work at Darwin Police Station in August following a six-month police investigation into the crash (pictured)

'Matt Wright strenuously denied these charges,' said his lawyer David Newey

‘Matt Wright strenuously denied these charges,’ said his lawyer David Newey

The 47-year-old joined the state’s police force in 1995 and was the former officer in charge of the Territory Response Group (TRG) where he is one of the longest serving members, having served 15 years.

He was called upon to protect the Dalai Lama and Barack Obama when they visited Australia. 

Sgt Mellon has since been in the role of Darwin watch commander and also worked in Alice Springs and at the Police Training College.

He was gifted an Australian Police Medal in 2019 as part of the Australia Day Honours.

Mellon’s matter will be mentioned in Darwin Local Court on December 7.

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