A 35-year-old man died the day after allegedly attacking a fellow passenger and a flight attendant on a Jet2 flight bound for Manchester Airport. Callum Kerr, a father of three, was reportedly acting aggressively toward cabin staff and passengers before the plane landed on Monday morning.
Greater Manchester Police responded to the aircraft after receiving reports of assaults. Officers found Kerr had been restrained by other passengers and crew members at the rear of the plane. He was unresponsive when police handcuffed him. Kerr was then transported to a hospital, where he later died.
According to witnesses, Kerr had been arguing with his girlfriend on the flight, which departed from Larnaca, Cyprus. Flight attendants reportedly moved the woman to a different seat during the dispute. Witnesses also claimed Kerr, who was described as a bare-knuckle fighter, headbutted another passenger before other travelers intervened to restrain him.
Kerr is survived by his three young children. His family described him in a statement as "a family man, father to three beautiful young children, a lover of sport and with a heart of gold."
Detectives are investigating the circumstances of the incident. Due to the police's contact with Kerr before his death, the Greater Manchester Police have made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. Chief Superintendent Mike Allen stated that the force's specialist officers are investigating what occurred during the flight and are keeping the family updated. Allen acknowledged that many passengers witnessed the events and that detectives are working to understand the full picture. The police watchdog indicated that the officers who boarded the plane are considered witnesses.