In a shocking turn of events, a senior officer gets handcuffed upon his arrival at work as part of the inquiry after the untimely death of Outback Wrangler’s 33-year-old star in a helicopter crash while gathering crocodile eggs.
Acting Senior Sergeant Neil Mellon of the NT Police has been charged with 31 offenses.
Some accusations apparently pertain to the inquiry into the death of Chris Wilson. Chris Wilson, a star of the television series Outback Wrangler, died in a helicopter crash in February. Mellon is charged with destroying evidence related to the crash investigation.
A top Northern Territory police officer is facing multiple charges that are thought to be related to an investigation into a fatal helicopter crash involving a television celebrity.
Neil Mellon, age 47, was taken into custody Thursday morning upon his arrival at the Darwin Police Station for work.
His residence with his wife and children was also searched.
Sgt. Mellon has been charged with 31 crimes, including attempting to obstruct justice, theft, and unauthorized data access.
In addition to weapons, firearms, and wildlife offenses, he is also accused of destroying evidence pertaining to a major crash investigation.
Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson, star of Outback Wrangler, dies in a car accident on February 28 in West Arnhem Land.
Pilot Sebastian Robinson, 28 years old, received significant injuries but survived the incident (pictured is a helicopter flown by Mr Robinson during filming)
Outback Wrangler is a popular adventure television series recorded in remote places of the Top End and shown in more than 90 countries. Mr. Wilson (center) was a part of the cast alongside Mr. Wright (right) and Jono Brown (left)
Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson, one of the stars of the National Geographic television show Outback Wrangler, was gathering crocodile eggs in West Arnhem Land on February 28 while tethered 30 meters from a helicopter when it crashed.
In the collision, the 34-year-old father of two was slain.
It is accepted The Australian claimed that Sgt. Mellon flew to the crash site and recovered Mr. Wilson’s body while off-duty and before other emergency services arrived.
Neil Mellon, 47, appeared at the Darwin police station on Thursday morning where he was subsequently detained.
Pilot Sebastian Robinson, 28, received significant injuries but surviveds the collision.
Outback Wrangler is a popular adventure television series recorded in remote places of the Top End and shown in more than 90 countries. Mr. Wilson was one of the three cast members, including host and presenter Matt Wright and Jono Brown.
Before catastrophe struck, Mr. Wilson was suspended 30 meters below the Robinson R44 helicopter on a sling in order to retrieve the eggs.
The body of the father of two was discovered 40 meters from the main debris at the King River crash site, according to an April investigation by the Air Transport Safety Bureau.
Mr. Wilson was linked to the rope using a harness so that he could collect eggs from difficult-to-access crocodile nests in swampy places while the helicopter hovered overhead.
Before disaster struck, Mr. Wilson was dangling 30 meters below the Robinson R44 helicopter on a sling to collect crocodile eggs.
Family: The Outback Wrangler star, who was 34 years old, is survived by his wife Danielle and their boys Ted and Austin.
The chopper that crashed and its crew were one of three collecting eggs that day. One of the other crews discovered it after it failed to reply to radio calls.
Matt Wright, the host of Outback Wrangler, has remarked that “his family and team were absolutely grieved by the tragic accident.”
A statement made by The Fordham Company a day after the incident read, “(They) are heartbroken over the loss of their best friend and highly esteemed colleague Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson.”
The primary rotor blade of the helicopter had repeatedly struck and severed a tree trunk before the aircraft impacted the ground.
Initial investigation revealed that the engine had shut down prior to the helicopter’s impact with the ground.
Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson (pictured) perished in the February helicopter crash. His body was discovered 40 meters from the primary wreckage.
Michael White, assistant commissioner of the NT Police, stated that some of Sgt Mellon’s accusations were related to an investigation into a significant crash that began in February of this year.
According to him, the police would allege that Sergeant Mellon’s conduct “undermined the integrity” of the NT police force and community.
“It’s vital to recognize that this officer’s conduct will be brought before the courts, and that the issue relates to the harm and mistrust of his position in the police force,” he told reporters on Friday.
“It is a very disheartening, unpleasant, and aggravating occurrence, and the welfare of all our officers is of the first importance in this situation,”
The suspension of Sgt. Mellon without pay. The police department has provided assistance to him and his family.
The 47-year-old man joined the state’s police force in 1995 and worked as the previous officer in charge of the Territory Response Group (TRG) for 18 years, making him one of the department’s longest-serving employees.
Even the Dalai Lama and Barack Obama were entrusted to his protection when they visited Australia.
Sgt. Mellon is currently the watch commander in Darwin and has previously worked in Alice Springs and at the Police Training College.
In 2019, he was awarded the Australian Police Medal as part of Australia Day Honours.
The accident that killed Mr. Wilson when he was collecting crocodile eggs is depicted.
The 47-year-old joined the state’s police force in 1995 and worked as the previous officer in charge of the Territory Response Group (TRG) for 15 years, making him one of the longest-serving members.
Reece Kershaw, a former police commissioner, stated at the time that he had participated in a variety of tactical operations, including body retrievals and shootings.
Mr. Kershaw remarked, “During his career, he has seen painful, stressful, and dangerous situations, yet he acts with courage and goes above and beyond what is required of police officers.”
In 2016, he received an award for ‘excellent professionalism, bravery, and exceptional operational support’ for his efforts to rescue a visitor who had fallen from Uluru.
Sergeant Mellon has been granted bail and is scheduled to appear in court on September 22.
Sergeant Mellon has been charged with multiple crimes, including attempting to pervert the course of justice, stealing, and illegally accessing data.