Couple Sues Matt Wright for Negligence After Airboat Crash

In short:

Amelia-Kate and Gregory Potts say they were on board a guided airboat tour operated by celebrity crocodile wrangler Matt Wright's company in 2023 when it crashed into a tree.

The couple are suing the Netflix star for negligence in the Northern Territory Supreme Court, claiming they suffered physical and psychiatric injuries as a result of the collision.

What's next?

Mr Wright is yet to file a defence and the case will return to court for a directions hearing on July 28.

A married couple who say they suffered physical and psychiatric injuries in an airboat crash three years ago are suing tour operator and former Netflix star Matt Wright for negligence.

In documents filed with the Northern Territory Supreme Court, Amelia-Kate and Gregory Potts say they were on board a guided airboat tour operated by the celebrity crocodile wrangler's company in May, 2023.

"During the tour, the airboat was being navigated through a confined wetland environment when control was lost and the vessel collided with a tree," the writ reads.

The couple claim Ms Potts suffered physical and psychiatric injuries as a result of the collision, while Mr Potts suffered his own physical injury as well as "psychiatric injury arising from witnessing the collision and the injuries sustained by [his wife]".

"The plaintiffs allege the collision was caused by the negligence of the defendant, including failures in the operation and control of the airboat, the implementation of safe operating procedures, and the provision of adequate safety measures for passengers," the documents read.

"The risks of loss of control, collision and passenger injury were foreseeable in the circumstances.

"By reason of the defendant's negligence, the plaintiffs have suffered injury, loss and damage, including economic and non-economic loss."

The lawsuit marks the latest legal battle for Mr Wright and comes after he was released from prison in Darwin in May after serving a 10-month sentence — suspended after five months — for trying to frustrate an investigation into a fatal 2022 helicopter crash.

The 47-year-old was convicted on two counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice last year after pressuring the chopper's pilot to doctor flight records and lying to police about the amount of fuel left in its tank.

Mr Wright was not alleged to have been responsible for the crash that killed his Netflix co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson in Arnhem Land and jurors were deadlocked on a third count relating to the cover-up.

The Outback Wrangler and Wild Croc Territory star was also fined $10,000 in February after pleading guilty in the Darwin Local Court to breaching NT planning laws by landing helicopters in his rural backyard, outside Darwin.

Mr and Ms Potts are seeking damages interest and costs, and Mr Wright is yet to file a defence with the court.