Life isn’t fair, says Outback Wrangler crash pilot Sebastian Robinson

A critically injured pilot who miraculously survived a chopper crash that killed Outback Wrangler star Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson has spoken about the incident for the first time, saying ‘this life isn’t fair’.

Chris Wilson with his wife and children.

A critically injured pilot who miraculously survived a chopper crash that killed his close mate, Outback Wrangler star Chris “Willow” Wilson, has spoken about the incident for the first time, saying “this life isn’t fair”.

Sebastian Robinson says “not a day goes by” that he doesn’t think about Wilson, who died when their helicopter crashed during a crocodile egg collecting mission in a remote part of the Northern Territory on February 28 last year.

On Tuesday, the anniversary of the crash, he said it had been the “hardest 12 months of my life”.

“One of a kind best mate I could always turn to for advice,” he wrote on social media alongside pictures of him and Wilson together. “Miss you Wilson. This life isn’t fair.”

Mr Robinson, 29, was critically injured when the Robinson R44 he was flying – owned and operated by Netflix star Matt Wright – crashed soon after take-off, on the King River in West Arnhem Land.

He is still recovering from ­spinal injuries and numerous ­broken bones.

Wilson’s widow also released a statement on the anniversary of his death, describing the “worst, toughest and most traumatising year” of her life.

Danielle Wilson – who is now a single parent to their two young sons, Ted and Austin – described her grief and anguish.

“A year ago today we lost you to the heavens in the most tragic of circumstances,” she said. “The past year has been the longest and shortest of our lives. Time has stood still, yet we have blinked and a year has gone by without our greatest love.

“It has been the worst, toughest and most traumatising year.

“Life without you is not the same and the world is a lesser place without you in it.

“Over the last 12 months there have been floods of tears, times of reflection, anger, helplessness and overwhelming, all-consuming grief.

“I have grieved for you and the life that you never got to live, as well as what should have been.

“I grieve for our beautiful boys Ted and Austin who have only short, yet sweet, memories of life with their Dad. It is beyond cruel that your time with them was so unfairly cut short.

“It is the absolute worst twist of fate to the most innocent and sweet loving boys, who idolised your every move, smile and word.”

Ms Wilson, 33, said the couple – who had been married for ­almost a decade – had lived their life together “to its fullest” and that their time together had epitomised “love, adventure and ­family”.

Since Wilson’s death the NT Police’s Major Crash Unit has charged Wright, former police ­officer Neil Mellon and pilot ­Michael Burbidge, who was on the egg-collecting mission and discovered the destroyed helicopter. The three men – who are prohibited from contacting Ms Wilson or Mr Robinson – are due back in court on March 8 for a preliminary examination.

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.