Outback Wrangler’s Matt Wright: Courtroom chaos as Netflix star faces court over Chris Wilson death

A furious local interrupted Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright’s court appearance on Wednesday as he faced charges over the helicopter crash that killed his friend, Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson.

The incensed woman was enraged after journalists and locals were told to move to make room for Wright to sit down in Darwin Local Court as he awaited his case to be called.

But she stood up in the middle of the courtroom to unload on the court officers over the special treatment given to Wright, saying she had been in court since 9.30am.

The clearly frustrated court attendee declared: ‘I’d rather catch f***ing cats.’

Wright turned up at the complex in jeans and a blue shirt, flanked by his legal team, and ignored the waiting media as he strode purposefully from his car to the courthouse at 9.30am.

Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright arrived at Darwin Local Court on Wednesday morning

A furious local woman (pictured) was enraged after journalists and locals were told to move to make room for Matt Wright to sit down in Darwin Local Court as he awaited his case

A furious local woman (pictured) was enraged after journalists and locals were told to move to make room for Matt Wright to sit down in Darwin Local Court as he awaited his case

Matt Wright ignored the waiting media pack as he got out his car and strode purposefully inside without any bodyguards this time after ugly scenes at Darwin Airport on Tuesday

Matt Wright ignored the waiting media pack as he got out his car and strode purposefully inside without any bodyguards this time after ugly scenes at Darwin Airport on Tuesday

Wright was without the burly bodyguards who sparked an ugly scuffle with cameramen as he arrived at Darwin Airport on Tuesday.

His arrival in the courtroom coincided with someone’s mobile phone suddenly going off with an alarming siren alert, sparking much confusion and humour.

Wright sat in the courtroom next to a member of his legal team, with his hands on his knees, waiting for his matter to be mentioned.

When the case was finally called, Wright stood before the court as his lawyers applied for an extension of the bail that was granted on Tuesday.

‘Bail was allowed last night through the duty magistrate, varied bail with consent from the parties,’ said his lawyer.

Wright stared intently at the media while the judge reviewed his bail after the director of public prosecutions asked for six strict bail conditions.

Bail was granted until January 25, 2023.

Matt Wright (centre) faces seven charges over a helicopter crash that killed his friend, Chris 'Willow' Wilson, in February.

Matt Wright (centre) faces seven charges over a helicopter crash that killed his friend, Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson, in February.

Matt Wright turned up for court in jeans and a blue shirt flanked by his suited legal team

Matt Wright turned up for court in jeans and a blue shirt flanked by his suited legal team 

Wright is charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroying evidence, fabricating evidence, unlawfully entering a building, unlawfully entering a dwelling, making a false declaration and interfering with witnesses in a criminal investigation or court process by making threats/reprisals.

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

‘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.’

The 43-year-old flew from Sydney to Darwin on Tuesday morning to present himself to Northern Territory Police after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

He was bailed to appear in court, on the condition he did not contact certain people and remained at a designated address. 

Matt Wright, 43, (right) flew from Sydney to Darwin on Tuesday morning to present himself to Northern Territory Police after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Matt Wright, 43, (right) flew from Sydney to Darwin on Tuesday morning to present himself to Northern Territory Police after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Matt Wright's arrival at Darwin Airport sparked hectic scenes as his minders clashed with media

Matt Wright’s arrival at Darwin Airport sparked hectic scenes as his minders clashed with media 

Matt Wright was flanked by bodyguards at the airport who barged past media while shouting and throwing their hands at flashing camera lenses

Matt Wright was flanked by bodyguards at the airport who barged past media while shouting and throwing their hands at flashing camera lenses

The reality TV star did his best to try and evade reporters throughout the day – from the moment he left NSW at about 8am to the point where he walked out of a police station in Palmerston at about 6pm. 

He tried to out-run reporters inside Sydney Airport before settling in for the 4.5-hour business class flight across the Red Centre.

When he emerged from Darwin Airport, he was flanked by bodyguards who barged past media while shouting and throwing their hands at flashing camera lenses.

Several large men, some wearing baseballs caps, could be heard yelling ‘Come on, let’s go!’ as they shoved their way through the media pack with Wright at the centre. 

Wright could be seen grinning in the photos and footage of the ordeal.

Daily Mail Australia photographed The Outback Wrangler star loading his luggage into an overhead compartment in the business class section of Qantas Flight 840 from Sydney on Tuesday morning. 

Mr Wilson died when a chopper he was travelling in crashed at Arnhem Land. A second chopper carrying three men, including Wright immediately flew to the scene.

Chris 'Willow' Wilson died when the chopper he was travelling in (pictured) crashed at Arnhem Land. A second chopper carrying three men, including Wright immediately flew to the scene

Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson died when the chopper he was travelling in (pictured) crashed at Arnhem Land. A second chopper carrying three men, including Wright immediately flew to the scene

Chris Wilson had been dangling 30m below the Robinson R44 helicopter on a sling to collect crocodile eggs before tragedy struck

Chris Wilson had been dangling 30m below the Robinson R44 helicopter on a sling to collect crocodile eggs before tragedy struck

It’s alleged the trio interfered with evidence at the crash site in an attempt to pervert the course of justice.

Wright has since strenuously denied any wrongdoing over what he described as a tragic accident.

Mr Wilson was collecting crocodile eggs in a remote area of west Arnhem Land when the Robinson R44 helicopter he was hanging 30 metres below collided with trees and the ground in west Arnhem Land. 

His body was found 40m from the main wreckage at the King River crash site, a preliminary Air Transport Safety Bureau report revealed in April.

Matt Wright (right) said the death of Mr Wilson (centre) was 'still pretty fresh'. The pair were cast members on the Outback Wrangler TV series with Jono Brown (left)

Outback Wrangler is a hit adventure television series filmed in remote Top End locations that airs in more than 90 countries. Mr Wilson (centre) was one of three cast members along with Mr Wright (right) and Jono Brown (left)

The father of two was attached to a line using a harness so he could harvest eggs from crocodile nests in swampy areas while the helicopter hovered above.

Pilot Sebastian Robinson was seriously injured in the crash and is still recovering from spinal injuries.

The R44 Raven II registered VH-IDW Mr Robinson was flying had been operated by Mr Wright’s company Helibrook.

The warrant comes days after Wright’s wife Kaia welcomed the birth of their second child, a daughter Dusty Faith on November 18.

The couple had recently relocated from the Northern Territory to the Gold Coast. 

OUTBACK WRANGLER TIMELINE

FEBRUARY 28, 2022

7:03am Pilot Seb Robinson and egg collector Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson are on one of three Robinson R44 helicopters which set off from Noonamah on a crocodile egg collection operation on West Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, about 500km from Darwin. Each chopper has one pilot and one egg collector. They fly for 90 minutes to a drum refuelling site in the bush near Mount Borradaile.

8.30am Choppers fly from drum refuelling area to the King River staging area, 20 minutes away. Mr Wilson allegedly shares a picture of the fuel gauge showing it was almost full to their shared WhatsApp group.

Around 9am Choppers split up to go to their various egg collection areas. Two head 12km north-east and collected eggs from nine nests between 0911 and 1014.

10.14am The other two crews realise they’ve not heard from Robinson and Wilson and chief helicopter pilot – and director of Remote Helicopters Australia – Michael Burbridge, 44, goes to look for them.

10.36am It finds the wreckage of their helicopter, 30km south of South Goulburn Island. Mr Wilson, 34, is dead 40m from the wreckage and Mr Robinson, 28, is seriously hurt with spinal injuries on the ground next to the aircraft. Their chopper has collided with trees and terrain. The second chopper briefly takes off again to make radio contact and raise the alarm.

Outback Wrangler Matt Wright allegedly flies to the crash scene with off-duty police sergeant Neil Mellon and Darwin publican and crocodile farmer Mick Burns. Mr Burns has not been charged with any offences.

12.30pm A CareFlight helicopter arrives at the scene and airlifts the pilot to Maningrida, where he was transferred by plane to Darwin. 

APRIL 19, 2022: The Air Transport Safety Bureau release their initial findings into the crash, with the full report expected in the first quarter of 2023. It finds the helicopter’s engine stopped prior to impacting the ground. Just 250ml of fuel was in the fuel bladders which were both intact, but the report notes fuel may have drained into a nearby creek as the fuel system was damaged in the crash. There were no other obvious signs of mechanical failure and no fire at the scene. 

AUGUST 25, 2022: Father of three Neil Mellon, 47, is arrested shortly after he arrives for work at Darwin police station. Police raid his home and allegedly find illegal wildlife, fireworks and firearms.

AUGUST 26, 2022: Mellon is charged with 31 offences, including attempting to pervert the course of justice and stealing and unlawfully accessing data. His charges also relate to weapons, firearms and wildlife offences, as well as alleged destruction of evidence in relation to a major crash investigation.

Later the same day, his wife Sandi, also a serving NT police officer, posts accusations on Facebook, unrelated to the crash, about a former close female friend which were later deleted.

Mellon is understood to have since resigned from the police after 27 years’ service. 

SEPTEMBER, 2022: Outback Wrangler and father of four Matt Wright, 43, relocates with his pregnant wife Kaia from Darwin to the Gold Coast in Queensland. 

SEPTEMBER 20, 2022: Helicopter pilot Michael Burbridge – who was first on the scene of the tragedy – is charged in connection with the crash. He is accused of destroying evidence, conspiracy and attempting to pervert the course of justice, and providing a false statement.

NOVEMBER 28, 2022: NT Police issue an arrest warrant for Wright and he’s told to present himself at Darwin police station within 48 hours to face at least six serious charges concerning the crash. They relate to his actions before and after the crash and allege he tampered with evidence.

NOVEMBER 29, 2022: Wright checks in for an 8.15am flight from Sydney to Darwin with his wife and their newborn daughter Dusty. He is charged in the afternoon with a string of offences in relation to the chopper crash.

NOVEMBER 30, 2022: Wright appears at Darwin Court on seven charges relating to the crash which he denies and is granted bail until the next court appearance on January 25, 2023. 

Wright is charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroying evidence, fabricating evidence, unlawfully entering a building, unlawfully entering a dwelling, making a false declaration and interfering with witnesses in a criminal investigation or court process by making threats/reprisals.

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