Outback Wrangler crash: ‘cocaine derivatives’ allegedly found in blood sample of helicopter pilot, court documents show
Version 0 of 1. Toxicology report for pilot who was flying chopper that crashed and killed cast member tendered as evidence in Matt Wright’s court case Cocaine derivatives have allegedly been detected in the blood sample of the pilot who was flying the helicopter that crashed and killed an Outback Wrangler cast member. A toxicology report for the pilot taken after the crash contained trace elements of “cocaine derivatives,” a letter tendered as evidence in Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright’s court case has revealed. Lawyers for the TV star submitted the letter outlining the brief of evidence against him in Darwin local court on Wednesday. Wright and two other men are facing criminal charges following the crash that killed Chris Wilson in West Arnhem Land on 28 February 2022. Wright, 43, is accused of perverting the course of justice and destruction of evidence. He is also charged with fabricating evidence, interfering with witnesses, making a false declaration and two counts of unlawful entry after the helicopter crashed into trees and the ground in a remote area. The letter tendered by Wright’s lawyers showed that the brief included evidence into the cause of the crash and included refuelling reports and logbook records. Wright’s lawyers have questioned why the cause of the crash was relevant to the case. Wilson, 34, died when the Robinson R44 helicopter he was attached to by a 30-metre line and a harness crashed. His body was found 40 metres from the main wreckage at the King River crash site, according to a preliminary Air Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) report conducted last year. The pilot, Sebastian Robinson, who was an external contractor, was seriously injured and airlifted to Maningrida, before being transferred to hospital in Darwin. Neil Mellon, an NT police officer, and Michael Burbidge, a pilot on the Outback Wrangler TV series, have also been charged in relation to the crash. Wright’s lawyer has previously told media he strenuously denies the charges and will be defending them. An ATSB investigation is ongoing. |