Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright intends to take a plea deal over allegations he tampered with evidence following a fatal helicopter crash that killed his TV co-star Chris Wilson.
Mr Wright’s lawyers told the Northern Territory Supreme Court last Thursday that they are negotiating with prosecutors after Mr Wright was charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, according to reports from New Testament News.
The charge relates to the aftermath of the helicopter crash that claimed the life of Mr Wilson, who plunged to his death on an egg-collecting mission in the crocodile-infested swamps of western Arnhem Land in the Territory of North, on February 28, 2022.
The father-of-two was hanging from a lifeline 30 meters below a helicopter piloted by Seb Robinson when crash investigators believe the helicopter ran out of fuel.
Wright was not present when the accident occurred, but traveled to the scene after hearing that the helicopter had crashed.
The charge is not related to Mr. Wilson’s death, but Mr. Wright is accused of perverting the cause of justice by allegedly destroying evidence after the helicopter crashed.
Matt Wright (pictured center) still intends to take a plea deal over allegations he tampered with evidence following the fatal helicopter crash that killed fellow TV host Chris Wilson.
In a separate case, Mr Wright has also been charged with breach of health and safety duties and reckless conduct risking death or injury following an investigation by Worksafe NT.
The Worksafe investigation led to Wright and his company Helibrook being charged in February “with failing to maintain the safety of the aircraft and failing to allow the aircraft to be operated when it was unsafe”.
An NT WorkSafe spokesperson said an investigation “found sufficient evidence to allege that Helibrook Pty Ltd and Mr Wright engaged in conduct aimed at falsifying the actual number of flying hours accumulated by aircraft in Helibrook’s fleet over a period dragged on”.
Wright’s company owned the helicopter that was being used on the egg collection mission when Mr. Wilson was killed.
Wilson (pictured right) was thrown to death during an egg collection mission in the crocodile-infested swamps of western Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, in 2022.
Wright also faces a civil case, brought by Wilson’s widow, Danielle Wilson.
Mrs Wilson is suing Wright and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for alleged “wrongful acts or omissions” that caused or contributed to her husband’s death.
Wright had previously stated that he expected the remaining criminal charges to be dropped once negotiations on the perverting the course of justice charge were completed.
That case has been adjourned and the matter will next be heard in the Northern Territory Supreme Court on August 1.