A man has died after allegedly becoming disruptive on a Jet2 flight from Cyprus to the UK, prompting fellow passengers to restrain him before the plane landed.
Callum Kerr, 35, was on board the flight from Larnaca to Manchester on June 21 when witnesses say his behavior became increasingly aggressive during the five-hour journey.
Passengers claimed Kerr had been drinking before the flight and was involved in an argument with his girlfriend early in the flight. According to those on board, cabin crew later moved the woman to a different seat.
Witnesses alleged that Kerr then began walking up and down the aisle, shouting at passengers, before headbutting one traveler and threatening to fight others.
Callum Kerr was traveling from Cyprus
Two passengers told Talk to the Press that several people stepped in to restrain Kerr until the aircraft touched down at Manchester Airport at around 2:25 a.m. on Monday, June 22, according to LADbible.
“There was a lot of panic, you don’t know what people might attempt to do on an airplane. My daughter was with us; she was getting panicked and upset by it all,” one passenger said, according to the outlet.
“There were a few panicked children on the plane, too, and the air hostesses were crying. It was a difficult situation; there was a lot of panic and confusion when we were up in the air.”
Another passenger claimed Kerr became “increasingly aggressive,” alleging that he was “walking up and down the flight banging on the overhead cabins.”
“They wouldn’t let anyone off the plane”
The witness also claimed that after “some guy locked eyes with him,” Kerr allegedly headbutted the passenger. They said cabin crew then “asked if any big lads could help,” adding that “around three or four passengers were pinning him down.”
“We landed at Manchester, it went silent, he had been shouting for the whole flight, and then he was silent,” the passenger said.
“When we touched down, the police came onto the flight, they ran to the back of the plane, shut the curtain, and we could see them doing CPR.
“One of the police officers rushed through with a defib, and another officer ran through with a medical bag.
“They wouldn’t let anyone off the plane for a good hour, until they rushed us all onto coaches into a deserted room and wouldn’t let us leave without giving a statement.”
“Was taken to hospital due to his condition”
According to reports, officers handcuffed Kerr, but it quickly became apparent that he was unresponsive. Police began CPR and requested a defibrillator before he was taken to a hospital.
Greater Manchester Police said officers were called following reports of an assault on the flight from Larnaca.
“An investigation is underway after a man became critically ill following reports that the same individual had been aggressive and disruptive towards a passenger and crew members on a flight heading into Manchester Airport,” a police spokesperson said, according to LADbible.
“At around 2:25am we were called to reports of an assault that had taken place on a flight from Larnaca, Cyprus.
“Officers attended and located a man who had been restrained. The man – in his 30s – was taken to hospital due to his condition.”
Police initially said the man was in stable but critical condition. Kerr’s family later told the Manchester Evening News that he died Tuesday afternoon.
In a statement, his family said: “Callum was a family man, father to three beautiful young children, a lover of sport and with a heart of gold.”
Jet2 confirmed the incident
Greater Manchester Police said the incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which will examine the officers’ actions and decision-making to better understand the circumstances surrounding Kerr’s death.
Jet2 also confirmed the incident in a statement released Tuesday.
“We can confirm that flight LS966 from Larnaca to Manchester requested a priority landing yesterday morning, due to a disruptive passenger incident,” a spokesperson said.
“We can confirm that a passenger has been taken to hospital. As an investigation is underway, it would be inappropriate for us to make any further comment at this time.”
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