Veteran NT cop on 31 crime charges related to fatal Outback Wrangler chopper crash

A veteran NT police officer has been charged with 31 criminal offences believed to relate to a major crash investigation into the death of Outback Wrangler cast member Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson.

A helicopter flown by Sebastian Robinson during the shooting of Outback Wrangler.

A veteran Northern Territory police officer has been charged with 31 criminal offences believed to relate to a major crash investigation into the death of Outback Wrangler cast member Chris “Willow” Wilson.

Acting Senior Sergeant Neil Mellon was on Friday charged with a long list of offences including conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and the destruction of evidence in relation to a major crash investigation.

The Northern Watch Commander, who joined the NT Police in 1995, was also charged with unlawfully accessing data and disclosing confidential information as well as weapons, firearms and wildlife offences.

Acting Deputy Commissioner of Operations and Road Safety Michael White said the more serious charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice and destruction of evidence stem back to a major crash investigation that began in February this year.

“So that’s when the alarm was raised,” he said.

The Weekend Australian understands that the offences are connected to an horrific chopper crash on the King River, in a remote part of West Arnhem Land, on February 28 in which Wilson was killed.

Chris Wilson.

The 34-year-old father of two was dangling from a rope, collecting crocodile eggs, when the ­Robinson R44 helicopter crashed into terrain 30km south of South Goulburn Island.

Police sources say Sergeant Mellon, while off duty, retrieved his friend’s body and established the crime scene before emergency services arrived.

Helicopter pilot Sebastian Robinson, 28, suffered serious injuries in the crash but survived.

Both men worked on the National Geographic’s reality television show Outback Wrangler.

NT Police did not respond to questions about the incident.

On Thursday morning, investigators from the major crash unit handcuffed and arrested Sergeant Mellon as he arrived at the Darwin Police Station for duty.

A search warrant was executed on the decorated officer’s home a short time later, where ­illegal wildlife, fireworks, and firearms were allegedly seized.

Mr White said the six-month investigation into Sergeant Mellon’s conduct in relation to the major crash investigation – which he described as “very disappointing, upsetting and frustrating” – was ongoing.

“But I can say that … it will be alleged by police that the actions of this officer have undermined the integrity of the Northern Territory police and the community of the Northern Territory,” Mr White added.

Sergeant Mellon, 47, who was until recently Acting Officer in Charge of the Territory Response Group, has been released on bail and suspended without pay.

He is due to appear in Darwin Local Court on September 22.

The Independent Commissioner Against Corruption and the NT Ombudsman will oversee the police investigation into Sergeant Mellon’s alleged offences.

NT Police Association president Paul McCue declined to comment on the matter. “We cannot comment on confidential internal matters or matters before the court,” he said. “We are providing support and advice as needed to any member going through internal matters.”

Sergeant Mellon has been gazetted to Darwin station since recently leaving the TRG after 18 years. The Weekend Australian understands he was “pushed out” of the TRG along with other senior operators at the unit after being told they had “been there for too long”.

In 2016, Sergeant Mellon was awarded for “outstanding professionalism, bravery and ­exceptional operational support” for his role in the rescue of a tourist who fell while climbing Uluru.

In 2019 he received the Australian Police Medal as part of the Australia Day honours.

“Throughout his time with the TRG he has been involved in a range of tactical operations, from body retrievals in dangerous situations, through to shootings and searching for suspected murderers,” former police commissioner Reece Kershaw said at the time.

Late on Friday, a 40-year-old male police officer was also served with a notice to appear for allegedly obtaining benefit by ­deception.

It is not known if the ­matters are related.