A British tourist is claiming hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation after witnessing a deadly helicopter collision, alleging the horrific incident left him with lasting psychiatric injuries.
Matthew Griffiths has launched legal action against Sea World Helicopters, seeking almost $850,000 in damages over the January 2023 disaster on the Gold Coast, Queensland.
The father claims he was traumatised after witnessing debris strike the heliport, hearing onlookers scream in distress and seeing chief pilot Ashley Jenkinson’s body being removed from the wreckage in the aftermath of the mid-air collision.
Court documents detail the traumatic experience
Court documents allege Griffiths had booked a joy flight with his children that afternoon and was waiting at the heliport when the tragedy unfolded, making the experience even more confronting for the family.
A coroner has heard about a pilot's work stress and drug use before the Sea World helicopter crash.
In his claim, Griffiths alleges Sea World Helicopters’ negligence caused his psychiatric injuries, including allegations the company allowed Jenkinson to fly with drugs in his system.
The collision that shocked the nation
The collision shocked the nation when two helicopters crashed near the Sea World theme park on the Gold Coast, killing pilot Jenkinson, British newlyweds Ron and Diane Hughes, and Sydney mother Vanessa Tadros, while leaving nine others injured.
Passenger Jesse Mayas captured terrifying moments inside the cockpit as the two helicopters approached each other over the Gold Coast Broadwater.
The lawsuit is the latest in a growing wave of legal action against the company in the aftermath of the 2023 disaster.
