‘All about adventure’: Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson remembered by good mate

Stories of an unwavering thirst for adventure have been recounted by one of Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson’s closest friends, saying the late chopper pilot was “all about adventure”.

STORIES of an unwavering thirst for adventure in the great outdoors have been recounted by one of Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson’s best mates, as hundreds attended a service on Monday commemorating the life of the Territory identity.

The 34-year-old father-of-two was tragically killed in a helicopter crash in a remote part of West Arnhem Land last Monday.

His colleague Sebastian Robinson suffered serious injuries from the crash and was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital.

“It was all about adventure,” recalled Katherine local Trent de With, describing his 10-year friendship with the The Outback Wrangler cast member and “bloody legend”.

“We’d knock off work on a Friday, we’d hop in the car and we’d drive all night and we’d fish all night and we’d come home, eyes hanging out of our head on a Sunday morning and go back to work and then we do it all again next weekend,” he told ABC Radio.

“Everything we ever did was just out and about in the bush, just looking for absolute fun.”

Mr de With said Chris was “truly one of a kind”.

“He had a handshake as big as his heart,” he said.

“If he was coming towards you and you hadn’t seen him for a while you’d better plant your feet because you know he’s gonna shake the hell out of your hand.

Chris "Willow" Wilson has been remembered at his funeral at the Darwin Convention Centre. Picture: Supplied.

“He was a family man, he was a successful business owner, he was heavily involved in the Starlight Foundation and … he always had time for you and would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.”

He leaves behind two sons, four-year-old Ted and one-year-old Austin, and wife Danielle.

Mr de With recounted Chris’ love of adventure, sharing a story from a memorable camping trip he’d been on with the Wilson family out at Channel Point.

“Willow could drive anything, whatever sort of machine it was he’d driven it or he could drive it no worries,” Mr de With said.

Mr de With said Chris had an excavator at the site and he asked if he could have a go on it.

“He showed me how to drive and we’re moving a couple of piles of rocks, and we saw an animal of some sort in there – a snake or whatever it might have been – so we turn the machine off and hop down to go and have a look,” Mr de With said.

He said a rock fell onto Chris’ fingers and “knocked the tips off some of these fingers and they were sort of hanging by a bit of nothingness”.

“And this was the first hour of being there over a long weekend,” Mr de With continued.

“So typical Willow, he puts us in a car, drops us back at the camp, he wraps his hand in the seatbelt so it’s above his shoulder, drives all the way back into town, goes to the emergency room, gets it sorted and rocks back into Channel Point at some time about three or four in the morning, just because he didn’t want to miss out on the weekend that we had planned.

“I don’t think (his fingers) looked the same after that.”

The service for Mr Wilson will be held at 10.30am on March 7 at the Darwin Convention Centre.

Service to be held for Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson

A service will be held to commemorate the life of The Outback Wrangler cast member and Territory identity who died following a helicopter crash on Monday.

The service for Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson will be held at 10.30am on March 7 at the Darwin Convention Centre.

The dress code is Territory rig with cowboy hats encouraged to honour the born and bred Territorian.

Matt Wright, the host of Outback Wrangler, said he and the team were “absolutely devastated” by the loss of their friend and colleague.

“No better man, husband, father, son, brother and friend,” Mr Wright said on his Instagram page.

Tributes have flown for the professional croc wrangler in the days following the crash.

For those unable to attend the service in person a live stream will be available at https://livestream.com./dme/willow.

In lieu of flowers the family have requested donations be made to the NT Starlight Foundation.

UPDATE 8.30AM, TUES: A “BLOODY legend” of the Territory has been lost to a horrific chopper crash on the King River.

Tributes have flown for Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson overnight as news spread the 34-year-old father of two was killed in a helicopter crash in a remote part of West Arnhem Land.

His colleague, 28-year-old, Sebastian Robinson suffered serious injuries from the crash and was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital.

On Tuesday, a Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital spokeswoman said Mr Robinson was in a critical, but stable condition.

Never too far from a fish, wheel or motor Chris has been remembered by his loved ones as a man filled with the spirit of adventure.

Father Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson, 34, was killed in a helicopter crash at a remote part of West Arnhem Land on Monday February 28. Picture: Facebook

Tributes have remembered the born and bred Territory boy, who lived his life facing down dangers most fled from.

The professional croc wrangler, who was featured on National Geographic’s Outback Wrangler, fought to protect the wildness of the Territory by helping relocate salties and other dangerous creatures.

Matt Wright, the host of Outback Wrangler, said he and the entire team were “absolutely devastated” to lose their best friend and respected colleague in the “tragic” crash.

“Our love and thoughts are with Chris’ wife Danielle and two little boys Ted and Austin as well as the families and friends of Chris and Seb during this incredibly tough time,” a statement from The Fordham Company, which produces Outback Wrangler said.

“Matt Wright and his team are assisting authorities with their investigations as to what caused this awful incident.”

Chris was remembered as a man who inhabited the outback with each breath, moving from cattle ranches to remote construction sites, driving airboats and bull catchers, tractors and road trains.

Chris Wilson.

The environmentalist was believed to have been collecting crocodile eggs when the crash occurred around 11am, Monday.

Rescue agency CareFlight dispatched a rescue helicopter and the Australian Rescue Coordination Centre, CASA and NT WorkSafe were all alerted to the incident.

NT Police confirmed the 34-year-old man was killed, while a 28-year-old man survived the crash and was recovering in hospital.

Loved ones have turned to social media to mourn the young father taken too soon.

“Such spirit and sense of adventure – oh Christopher my heart is broken. Sending love to all your family,” Wendy Darwin wrote on Facebook.

Chris Wilson with his Outback Wrangler team.

Alyce Breed said she was “heart broken” by the news.

“A bloody legend taken too soon,” Ms Breed wrote on Facebook.

“RIP mate, gone way to early. Was a pleasure working for you. My sincere condolences to your family and friends,” Corza Maczkowiack said.

“Fly high buddy you will never be forgotten as the wonderful person that you were. Condolences to all family and friends,” Jenny Izod said.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has confirmed an investigation had begun into the chopper crash.

The ATSB said the Robinson R44 helicopter was “destroyed” when it crashed into terrain 30 km south of South Goulburn Island.

An investigative team has been sent out to examine the wreckage and site surrounds, with helicopter components to be examined back in Canberra.

UPDATE 7.30AM TUES: OUTBACK Wrangler cast member Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson has been identified as the man killed in a helicopter crash yesterday, the NT News understands.

34-year-old Wilson is believed to have been collecting crocodile eggs when the crash occurred at the King River at around 11am yesterday.

Friends of Wilson have started to flood social media platforms with tributes.

A 28-year-old remains in hospital following the accident.

INITIAL 7PM, MON: ONE man has been killed and another seriously hurt in a helicopter crash in the Northern Territory on Monday.

NT Police are investigating the fatal chopper crash on the King River in a remote part of West Arnhem Land about 11am on Monday.

NT Police said a man was killed and another injured in the accident.

Police were notified of the crash shortly before 11am and officers from Goulburn Island were dispatched by boat to the accident site on the King River.

Rescue agency CareFlight also dispatched a rescue helicopter and the Australian Rescue Coordination Centre, CASA and NT WorkSafe have all been advised of the incident.

Senior Sergeant Erica Gibson confirmed the tragedy late on Monday afternoon.

“Authorities reached the site (on Monday) afternoon and confirmed the death of a 34-year-old man,” she said.

The 28-year-old male survivor was transported to Royal Darwin Hospital.

Originally published as ‘All about adventure’: Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson remembered by good mate