The cause of death of a father who was restrained following an altercation on a flight to Manchester Airport remains unknown, an inquest hearing has heard. Callum Kerr, 35, a bareknuckle boxer and cage fighter from Warrington, was involved in an incident on a Jet2 flight from Larnaca, Cyprus, on June 22.
Incident on the Flight
Police said Kerr was restrained after he allegedly assaulted a passenger and a member of the cabin crew. The inquest at Manchester Coroners' Court on July 14 heard that Kerr had been drinking alcohol during the flight and was told by cabin crew they would no longer serve him. Senior coroner Zak Golombeck stated: "Callum had been drinking alcohol during the flight and had been informed by the cabin crew that they would no longer be willing to serve him additional drinks."
There was then a reported altercation between Kerr and other passengers. As the plane prepared to land, Kerr refused to take his seat and was restrained on the floor by passengers and a cabin crew member. The plane landed at 2:23 am, and four Greater Manchester Police officers boarded at 2:41 am.
Police Response and Death
Officers found Kerr "restrained in a seated position leaning forward" and applied handcuffs before noting he was unresponsive. They commenced CPR, and paramedics from North West Ambulance Service arrived at 2:50 am. Kerr was taken to Wythenshawe Hospital, where he died on June 23.
A post-mortem has been carried out, but the coroner said he is "still awaiting a final cause of death." A further hearing has been scheduled for February 8 next year.
Ongoing Investigations
A criminal investigation by GMP, a separate probe by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), and an internal investigation by Jet2 are ongoing. The IOPC will look into the actions and decision-making of the officers involved. GMP said the referral to the IOPC was mandatory due to police contact prior to death, not due to any indication of misconduct.
Family Tribute
Kerr's parents, Andrea and George Kerr, attended the hearing via videolink. In a tribute, his family said: "Callum was a family man, father to three beautiful young children, a lover of sport and with a heart of gold."
