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National
Maani Truu and Sarah Spina-Matthews

Crocodile wrangler and Netflix star Matt Wright has been charged in relation to a helicopter crash. Here’s what we know

Celebrity crocodile wrangler and reality television star Matt Wright has been charged in relation to a fatal helicopter crash earlier this year.

He is the third person to be arrested over the crash in Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, which killed Chris "Willow" Wilson — Wright's television co-star and close friend.

The 43-year-old faces a range of charges, including an attempt to pervert the course of justice, destruction of evidence, fabricating evidence, interfering with witnesses and unlawful entry.

Wright was not on board the helicopter at the time of the crash, which happened while Wilson was on a job collecting crocodile eggs in February.

A former high-ranking NT police officer has also been charged over the crash, and one of the territory's most prominent businessmen has been described in the court proceedings as being "inextricably linked" to the events.

This is what we know so far.

What are the details of the crash?

In February this year, Wilson, 34, was on a job collecting crocodile eggs in a remote area of west Arnhem Land when the helicopter he was suspended from in a sling crashed.

He was fatally injured, while the 28-year-old pilot was airlifted from the scene with serious injuries.

The crash occurred between Goulburn Islands and Maningrida, about 500 kilometres east of Darwin.

Early investigations indicated that the helicopter's engine stopped before the chopper hit the ground.

Who else has been arrested in relation to the crash?

Multiple investigations were launched after the crash, by both police and air safety authorities.

Six months later, in August, former senior Northern Territory police officer Neil Mellon was arrested as he arrived at work by colleagues investigating the case.

His charges included disclosure of confidential information and obtaining benefit by deception.

Bush pilot Michael Burbidge — who was not the pilot of the crashed helicopter — was then charged in September with four offences, including attempting to pervert the course of justice and destroying evidence.

Both have faced court, but neither of them has entered pleas yet.

During Burbidge's court appearance in October, the prosecutor told the court that prominent Northern Territory businessman Mick Burns was "at the site" of the crash and was "inextricably linked" to the events while arguing for Burbidge to be banned from contacting Burns as a part of his bail conditions.

It is unclear when or why Burns was at the site, and the court has not heard any evidence of wrongdoing against him.

Mellon is due back in court next month and Burbidge will return to court in January.

The full details of their involvement are yet to emerge.

Who is Matt Wright? And what is his relationship to crash victim Chris Wilson?

Matt Wright is the star of National Geographic's Outback Wrangler and Netflix's Wild Croc Territory reality show.

In both shows, Wilson stars alongside Wright as they work closely together to wrangle and relocate crocs. In the Netflix series, Wilson reflects on meeting Wright years earlier and hitting it off over a couple of bottles of rum.

Following the crash, Wright posted a tribute to his "mate that's a brother" on Instagram.

"We started such an amazing journey many years ago, you were my right and left hand man — nothing was ever too hard, you made shit happen and were the best teammate I could have ever asked for," he says.

Wright was a pallbearer at Wilson's funeral in March, where family and friends remembered him as an outback icon and dedicated family man.

"There will never be another Willow," his wife Danielle said at the time. Wilson left behind two young sons, Ted and Austin.

According to his website, Wright was raised on the "rugged plains of Australia" and worked jobs as a horse wrangler, army soldier, and crocodile egg collector before turning to television.

In addition to his TV work, the 43-year-old owns a number of tourism businesses in the Northern Territory, including the Top End Safari Camp and Tiwi Island Retreat.

His wife, Kaia, and young son Banjo also appear on Wild Croc Territory.

The family, including his newborn daughter Dusty, were living in Queensland when the arrest warrant was issued.

What has Matt Wright said?

A spokesperson for Wright put out a statement when police issued the warrant on Monday saying he "strenuously denies" any wrongdoing in relation to the crash, which he described as a "tragic accident" that took the life of his "close mate".

The spokesperson said Wright's "immediate concern" was for the condition of Wilson and the helicopter pilot and that his next priority was "ensuring the other helicopters and team members at the site weren't at risk and that the location was safe".

He didn't make any comment when questioned by reporters at Darwin Airport on Tuesday.

What will happen next?

Police say Mr Wright has been bailed and will appear in Darwin Local Court on Wednesday morning. 

What's involved in the Northern Territory's crocodile industry?

The territory's crocodile industry is huge, with a 2017 report finding it was worth more than $100 million and generated more than 260 full-time jobs, including in remote communities.

One part of the industry is egg collection, which involves collecting eggs using a helicopter and sling to descend on nests from above — like Wilson was doing when he was killed — or walking through swampland and then selling them to farms.

The crocs are often harvested for their skins, which are some of the most valuable in the world.

Crocodile tourism is also big business for the territory, with many operations centred around allowing tourists to get up close and personal with the animals.

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