Incident Unfolds on Inbound Flight
A passenger aboard a Jet2 flight traveling from Larnaca, Cyprus, to Manchester, UK, has died after being restrained by fellow travelers and crew members due to disruptive behavior. The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, with police being alerted to reports of a man assaulting another customer and a staff member, displaying aggressive conduct.
Police Intervention and Unresponsiveness
Upon the aircraft's arrival at Manchester Airport, officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) boarded the plane. They located 35-year-old Callum Kerr of Warrington, who was being held by passengers and aircrew. Officers then used handcuffs to detain him. However, they quickly discovered Mr. Kerr was unresponsive and immediately began administering CPR. He was subsequently transported to a hospital but tragically passed away on Tuesday.
Investigations Underway
An investigation into Mr. Kerr's death is currently in progress. Due to police interaction with Mr. Kerr prior to his death, GMP made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC). The IOPC has stated that its investigation will focus on the actions and decision-making of the five officers who boarded the plane, treating them as witnesses rather than targets of an investigation into their conduct. This will involve reviewing evidence such as body-worn camera footage and initial officer statements.
Chief Superintendent Mike Allen of GMP acknowledged the challenging situation, stating, "I know there were many people on the flight who witnessed the violence and disruption prior to officers' arrival." He confirmed that detectives are investigating the full circumstances of the incident, including the actions of members of the public involved in restraining the man.
Family's Tribute
Mr. Kerr's loved ones have paid tribute to him, describing him as "a family man, father to three beautiful young children, a lover of sport and with a heart of gold." Support is being provided to his family during this difficult time.
Source: 'Disruptive' passenger restrained on Jet2 flight dies