A man in his 30s is in a critical condition in hospital after being restrained by fellow passengers on a Jet2 flight from Larnaca, Cyprus, to Manchester. The incident occurred on June 21, when the man allegedly headbutted a fellow passenger and became disruptive during the five-hour journey.
Disruption on Board
According to witnesses, the man had consumed a significant amount of alcohol before boarding the flight with his girlfriend. Cabin crew moved her to a different seat after he became rowdy. He then paced the aisle, shouted at other travellers, and allegedly headbutted a passenger, prompting several travellers to restrain him until the plane landed at Manchester Airport at 2:25 am on Monday.
One passenger, who was on holiday with his partner and daughter, described the scene: "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."
Police Response and Medical Emergency
Greater Manchester Police officers boarded the aircraft and took over the restraint, only to find the man was not breathing. Witnesses reported that officers immediately began CPR and called for a defibrillator. A passenger who wished to remain anonymous said: "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."
The man was taken to hospital, where he remains in a stable but critical condition, according to police.
Investigation and Passenger Accounts
Passengers were held on the plane for about an hour before being taken to a room to provide statements. A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police 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. 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 a hospital in a stable but critical condition. Enquiries are ongoing."
A Jet2 spokesperson confirmed the flight requested a priority landing due to a disruptive passenger incident and that a passenger had been taken to hospital, but declined further comment as an investigation is underway.
