The man was restrained by passengers on Jet2 flight before police performed CPR on him after landing at Manchester Airport
14:00, 24 Jun 2026Updated 07:15, 25 Jun 2026
Police officers board the plane at Manchester Airport(Image: SWNS)
A “disruptive” passenger became critically ill after being restrained by passengers aboard a Jet2 flight travelling from Cyprus to Manchester. During the five-hour flight from Larnaca on June 21, a man in his 30s had allegedly consumed a significant amount of alcohol before boarding with his girlfriend.
Fellow passengers claim he had been rowing with her, prompting cabin crew to move her to a different seat. Eyewitnesses said he then became increasingly disruptive, pacing up and down the aisle and shouting at other travellers.
They further claim he headbutted a fellow passenger and issued threats to others on board. According to two passengers, a number of travellers stepped in to restrain the man until the plane touched down at Manchester Airport at 2.25am on Monday.
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Police officers boarded the aircraft and took over – only to discover the man was not breathing. Witnesses said officers immediately began performing CPR and subsequently called for a defibrillator. Greater Manchester Police confirmed the man was taken to hospital after falling “critically ill”.
Passengers reported being held on board and asked to provide statements. One person, who was 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.
“It was a difficult situation; there was a lot of panic and confusion when we were up in the air.”
Another passenger, who wanted to remain anonymous, added: “The guy was getting increasingly aggressive; he was walking up and down the flight banging on the overhead cabins.
Police officers are said to have performed CPR on the man after boarding the plane at Manchester Airport(Image: SWNS)
“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.”
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.
“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 a hospital in a stable but critical condition. Enquiries are ongoing.”
A spokesperson for Jet2, said: “We can confirm that flight LS966 from Larnaca to Manchester requested a priority landing on (Monday 22nd June), 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.”