Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright charged over helicopter crash that killed his mate

Matt Wright, who rose to fame as ‘The Outback Wrangler’, has been hit with a series of charges over the remote Northern Territory helicopter crash that killed his mate.

NT Police confirmed on Tuesday afternoon he was charged with attempt to pervert the course of justice, destroy evidence, fabricate evidence, unlawful entry, make a false declaration, and interfering with witnesses.

Wright was bailed to appear in Darwin Local Court at 9.30am on Wednesday on the condition he does not contact certain people and remains at a designated address.

Exclusive footage shows Wright leaving Northern Territory Police Headquarters with his lawyer just before 6pm local time and getting into a blue 4WD ute.

See also  Idaho murders suspect was pulled over TWICE in Indiana on 2,000mile cross-country road trip

Wright leaving the Darwin police station on Tuesday evening (pictured), he was granted bail to appear in court on Wednesday morning

Wright flew back to the NT after a warrant for his arrest was issued over a string of charges over a helicopter crash that killed one of his best mates earlier this year

Earlier on Tuesday, Wright presented himself to police in Darwin.

The National Geographic and Netflix star pulled up outside the police headquarters at 2.05pm on Tuesday and sped inside when he saw waiting cameras.

His lawyer David Newey emerged 40 minutes later to say no charges had been laid against the reality TV star – but police later confirmed the charges at 5.20pm local time.

Earlier in the day his his bodyguards had scuffled with media at Darwin Airport when he arrived back in the NT.

NT Police said they were also investigating that incident involving Wright’s minders and ABC cameraman, Peter Garnish, at the airport. 

Earlier at Darwin Airport as Wright’s bodyguards barged past media while shouting and throwing their hands at camera lenses, including ABC’s Peter Garnish (right) 

The Outback Wrangle Matt Wright who has had a number of successful television shows and wife Kaia Wright (pictured)

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 flew back to Darwin after a warrant was issued for his arrest in connection to the fatal helicopter crash back in February.

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. 

Reality television personality Matt Wright was spotted boarding a flight to Darwin on Tuesday morning

The warrant for Wright’s arrest was issued on Monday, following an extensive police investigation into the crash that killed his co-star 34-year-old Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson.

Wright was given 48-hours to present to a Northern Territory police station.

Mr Wilson died when a chopper he was travelling in crashed at Arnhem Land. A second chopper carrying three men, including Wright, 43, immediately flew to the scene.

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.

The Outback Wrangler star was charged  over the helicopter crash that killed his close mate and co-star Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson (pictured)

The helicopter (pictured) was found damaged and in an upright position

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.

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.