‘Love ya brother’: Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright’s moving tribute to Chris Wilson

Matt Wright has shared an emotional public tribute to Chris Wilson a year after his Wild Croc Territory co-star was killed in a fatal chopper crash.

Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright with, inset, Chris 'Willow' Wilson. Picture: NT News

Netflix star Matt Wright has shared a public tribute to Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson one year after his Wild Croc Territory co-star was killed in a fatal chopper crash which is the subject of a major ongoing criminal investigation.

Wilson was killed when the chopper he was slinging beneath to collect crocodile eggs crashed on the King River in a remote part of West Arnhem Land on February 28 last year.

Pilot Sebastian Robinson was critically injured. The 28-year-old is still recovering from severe spinal injuries and numerous broken bones.

Wright immediately flew to the scene with Mick Burns, who owns the crocodile egg harvesting business, and off-duty police officer Neil Mellon.

The celebrity croc-wrangler – who owned the destroyed Robinson R44 helicopter – has since been charged with seven serious offences related to the police investigation into Wilson’s death.

Wright shared a tribute to Wilson on Instagram this morning alongside an edited montage of footage, which was played at his funeral, set to Neil Young’s My My, Hey Hey.

“1 year ago we lost a father, son, brother and mate,” the post said.

“Willow was a true legend that lifted the energy wherever he was, with such a positive can do attitude you thought anything was possible when he was around.

“Willow lived for adventure, from the very first day I met him he had a sparkle in his eye that would carry him through some of the most amazing experiences across the world.”

Wilson starred alongside Wright on reality television shows Outback Wrangler, Matt Wright’s Wild Territory and Wild Croc Territory.

The 34-year-old left behind his wife Danielle and their two young sons, Ted and Austin.

“There was never a moment for rest or down time, Willow was always onto the next big thing, making the most of life and living it to its fullest,” Wright wrote.

“We miss our mate more than anything and his memory will live on through all of us. Willow will go down in the history books as one of Australia’s truest legends.

“Love ya brother it’s only time and will see each other again.”

Chris Wilson with one of his sons. Picture: Outback Wrangler

In November Wright, 43, was charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroying evidence, fabricating evidence, unlawfully entering a building, unlawfully entering a dwelling, making a false declaration and interfering with witnesses in a criminal investigation or court process by making threats/reprisals.

Mellon and pilot Michael Burbidge – who was on the egg collecting mission and discovered the downed chopper – have also been charged with various offences related to the major crash investigation.

The three men are due back in court on March 8 for a preliminary examination mention.

Earlier this month a senior prosecutor told the Darwin Local Court that there were “persons of interest” who are still being investigated in relation to the fatal crash and its aftermath.

NT Police, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and NT WorkSafe are still investigating what happened before, during and after the fatal crash.

Earlier this month CASA said its “investigation and deliberations” relating to Wright’s aviation business Helibrook were continuing.

The ATSB’s final report into the crash is due to be published by the end of June.