Families sue Matt Wright after 2023 airboat crash in crocodile-infested waters
Two couples are suing TV personality Matt Wright, his wife Kaia, and their company over a 2023 airboat crash that left one passenger with a serious head injury.
The Paynes and McFarlanes attended a corporate retreat at Top End Safari Camp and were invited on a crocodile tour via airboat. The families were given earmuffs but no safety briefing.
The airboat had no seatbelts, working radio, or first aid kit. The driver, called Anton, took off at high speed towards a large tree on the riverbank.
Believing he would swerve, the families held their children close. The boat hit the tree and split, leaving one passenger with a severe head injury.
The families were marooned in the broken vessel in crocodile-infested waters, with no way to call for help. They say they felt like they were in a war zone.
The lawsuit claims negligence and breach of consumer law. Wright and his wife have denied the allegations.
The case returns to Federal Court on October 2.
- Bynoe Harbour, west of Darwin
- Crash location
- 2023
- Crash year
- October 2
- Court return date
- 2
- Number of families suing
Why it mattersThe case tests whether tour operators can avoid safety duties by limiting briefings and equipment, and what compensation injured passengers can claim.
AustraliaThe lawsuit involves an Australian tour company and raises questions about safety standards for adventure tourism in remote Northern Territory waters.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 9 d ago
