The family of Callum Kerr, a 35-year-old father of three from Warrington, have paid tribute to him after he died following an incident on a Jet2 flight from Larnaca, Cyprus, to Manchester Airport on June 21, 2026. Kerr, described as a bareknuckle boxer and cage fighter, was restrained by passengers and crew before being handcuffed by police, and later died in hospital on June 23.
Incident on the flight
Witnesses reported that Kerr became disruptive during the five-hour flight, allegedly after drinking alcohol beforehand. He paced the aisle, shouted at other passengers, headbutted a fellow traveler, and threatened to fight others. Passengers and crew restrained him at the rear of the aircraft until it landed at Manchester Airport at around 2:25 am on June 22.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) stated that officers boarded the plane and found Kerr being restrained. They used handcuffs to detain him but quickly noticed he was unresponsive and began CPR. Paramedics took him to hospital, where he died the following afternoon.
Investigation launched
GMP made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is investigating the actions of the five officers who boarded the plane. The IOPC confirmed that the officers are being treated as witnesses, not subjects of investigation. The force also reported two assaults—one on a passenger and one on a crew member—during the flight.
IOPC Director of Engagement Amanda Rowe said: "Our thoughts are with Mr Kerr’s family and loved ones, as well as all those affected by his death. I want to reassure people our investigation will be thorough, and independent of the police, to ensure we understand exactly what has happened."
Family tribute
In a statement released through police, Kerr's family said: "Callum was a family man, father to three beautiful young children, a lover of sport and with a heart of gold." Chief Superintendent Mike Allen expressed condolences and confirmed that detectives from GMP's Major Incident Team are investigating the circumstances on the flight, while the IOPC examines police actions.
Jet2 confirmed the flight requested a priority landing due to a disruptive passenger but declined further comment as an investigation is ongoing.
