A 'disruptive' passenger is in hospital in a stable but critical condition after being restrained by police on a Jet2 flight from Cyprus to Manchester Airport. The man, aged in his 30s, had allegedly been drinking heavily before boarding the five-hour flight from Larnaca on Sunday, June 21.
Passenger Behaviour and Restraint
Passengers on the flight reported that the man was arguing with his girlfriend before cabin crew moved her to another seat. He then became disruptive, pacing the aisle and shouting at other travellers. According to witnesses, he headbutted another passenger and threatened to fight others on board.
Two passengers who spoke to Talk to the Press said several travellers restrained the man until the aircraft landed at Manchester Airport at 2.25am on Monday, June 22. Police officers boarded the plane and found the man unresponsive. Witnesses said officers began performing CPR and later requested a defibrillator.
Witness Accounts
One male passenger, on holiday with his partner and daughter, said: '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. There were a few panicked children on the plane too, and the air hostesses were crying.'
Another anonymous passenger added: 'The guy was getting increasingly aggressive, he was walking up and down the flight banging on the overhead cabins. By the time we were flying over Germany, some guy locked eyes with him, and the man walking up and down the aisle headbutted him. He got restrained, and the air hostess was panicking. She asked if any big lads could help, as they couldn't keep him down. 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. 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.'
Official Statements
A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: '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. 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. He remains in hospital in a stable but critical condition. Enquiries are ongoing.'
A Jet2 spokesperson said: 'We can confirm that flight LS966 from Larnaca to Manchester requested a priority landing yesterday morning (Monday June 22), due to a disruptive passenger incident. 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.'
