Shock development as man, 44, is arrested over Outback Wrangler TV star’s helicopter crash death while he harvested crocodile eggs
- Outback Wrangler star Chris Wilson died in February during a helicopter crash
- He was dangling below the chopper to collect crocodile eggs in the NT
- Man, 44, has been arrested in relation to crash and is being questioned by police
A 44-year-old man has been arrested in relation to a helicopter crash in the Northern Territory which claimed the life of a cast member of National Geographic’s Outback Wrangler show.
Police said the man was detained on Wednesday and is being questioned by detectives.
Chris Wilson, 34, was killed on February 28 when the Robinson R44 helicopter he was hanging 30 metres below collided with trees and the ground in west Arnhem Land.
The father-of-two’s body was found 40 metres from the main wreckage at the King River crash site, a preliminary Air Transport Safety Bureau report revealed in April.
Chris Wilson, 34, was killed on February 28 when the Robinson R44 helicopter he was hanging 30 metres below collided with trees and the ground in west Arnhem Land
He was attached to a line using a harness so he could harvest eggs from difficult-to-access crocodile nests in swampy areas while the helicopter hovered above.
The crashed helicopter was one of three involved in collecting eggs on the day. It was found by one of the other crews after it failed to respond to radio calls.
Outback Wrangler presenter Matt Wright previously said ‘his family and team (were) absolutely devastated by the tragic accident’.
‘(They) are heartbroken by the loss of their best friend and highly respected colleague Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson,’ a statement issued by The Fordham Company a day after the crash said.
The father-of-two’s body was found 40 metres from the main wreckage at the King River crash site, a preliminary Air Transport Safety Bureau report revealed in April
A preliminary ATSB analysis of the site indicated the accident 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.
Outback Wrangler is an adventure television series filmed in remote Top End locations that airs in more than 90 countries.
The show chronicles the capture and transport of dangerous animals that pose a threat to people, including crocodiles and wild buffalo.
The crashed helicopter was one of three involved in collecting eggs on the day. It was found by one of the other crews after it failed to respond to radio calls
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