A Jet2 flight from Larnaca to Manchester became the scene of a major police and medical emergency after a passenger reportedly became disruptive on board, was restrained by fellow travellers, and later died in hospital.
A man has died after being restrained on a Jet2 flight from Cyprus to Manchester following reports of disruptive behaviour and an alleged assault on board.
The passenger has been named in reports as Callum Kerr, a father and bare-knuckle boxer from Warrington. He had been travelling on Jet2 flight LS966 from Larnaca to Manchester with his girlfriend when the incident occurred on the return journey to the UK.
Priority Landing at Manchester
The flight, which landed at Manchester Airport in the early hours of Monday, June 22, had requested a priority landing because of what Jet2 described as a “disruptive passenger incident”.
According to passenger accounts reported by several national and regional media outlets, the man had allegedly consumed a significant amount of alcohol before boarding and became increasingly disruptive during the flight. Witnesses claimed he argued with his girlfriend, prompting cabin crew to move her to another seat for her safety.
The situation is then said to have escalated further. Passengers alleged that the man paced the aisle, shouted at other travellers, banged on overhead lockers and, at one stage, headbutted another passenger. Cabin crew reportedly called for help from those on board, with several passengers assisting in restraining him until the aircraft reached Manchester.
Greater Manchester Police said officers were called at around 02.25 am to reports of an assault on a flight arriving from Larnaca. When police boarded the aircraft, they located a man in his 30s who had been restrained. He was taken to hospital because of his condition.
Witnesses said police and emergency responders began CPR on board the aircraft and requested a defibrillator. Passengers were reportedly kept on the plane for around an hour after landing before being taken away to provide statements.
The incident turned what should have been the end of a holiday flight into a distressing ordeal for everyone on board. Families and children were among those travelling, with witnesses describing panic and confusion in the cabin as the situation unfolded.
One passenger described the flight as terrifying, saying children were upset and cabin crew were visibly distressed. Another said the atmosphere changed dramatically after landing, when police rushed to the rear of the aircraft, and passengers realised the incident had become a serious medical emergency.
Mr Kerr was initially reported to be in a stable but critical condition in hospital. His family later confirmed that he had died.
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Ongoing Investigation
Tributes have since been posted on social media, with friends and relatives expressing shock at his death. Several messages remembered him warmly, describing disbelief at the news and paying tribute to his personality.
Jet2 has said it would be inappropriate to comment further while an investigation is underway. The airline confirmed that flight LS966 requested a priority landing on Monday morning due to a disruptive passenger incident and that a passenger had been taken to hospital.
Greater Manchester Police has also confirmed that enquiries are ongoing.
Cause of Death Has Not Been Confirmed
The tragedy has once again highlighted the serious consequences that can follow disruptive behaviour on board aircraft. While incidents involving unruly passengers remain relatively rare compared with the number of flights operating every day, they can quickly become dangerous in the confined environment of an aircraft cabin.
Jet2 has previously taken a firm stance on disruptive passengers, issuing lifetime bans and pursuing costs in cases where behaviour has caused diversions or major operational disruption. Like other airlines, it operates a zero-tolerance approach to behaviour that threatens crew, passengers or the safe operation of a flight.
However, this case is especially serious because it ended not with a standard police removal, but with a passenger becoming critically ill and later dying.
At this stage, no official cause of death has been made public. It is not yet known what role, if any, the reported restraint, alleged alcohol consumption, medical factors or any other circumstances may have played. Those questions will be for investigators and, potentially, medical examiners to determine.
The case is now in the hands of Greater Manchester Police, with further updates expected as enquiries continue.
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Very distressing flight for all involved