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.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: British tourist sues Sea World Helicopters for trauma

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 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.

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 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.

The lawsuit is the latest in a growing wave of legal action against the company in the aftermath of the 2023 disaster.