Chris Neill, aged 40, tragically passed away during a Jet2 flight from Burgas, Bulgaria to Liverpool John Lennon Airport, which was forced to land in Germany. The flight, which departed at 1pm local time on Monday, September 16, made an emergency landing in Cologne because a passenger, later identified as Chris, experienced a suspected cardiac arrest ( heart attack ).
Chris, who was returning from a holiday with his children, was moved to the front of the plane and given an oxygen mask. After the plane landed, he managed to walk off and down the steps onto the runway. However, before reaching the concrete, he collapsed due to a severe heart attack. He passed away before being taken into the waiting ambulance.
Following the incident, Chris’s father, Mal Neill, flew to Germany the next day to collect his grandchildren, Reece, 19, and Archie, eight. Mal sent them back to the UK while he remained in Germany to liaise with the coroner.
Thoughts go out to Chris Neill and his family. Tragically, Chris suffered a cardiac arrest on his Jet2 flight back from Germany last week.
Rest In Peace Blue! 💙 pic.twitter.com/2MGmEhvUsZ
— The Glasgow Toffees ⚪️ (@ToffeesGlasgow) September 24, 2024
Mal revealed that Chris believed he had travel insurance through his bank, Halifax, but it had expired. As a result, the family is now urgently raising funds to bring Chris’s body back to the UK.
Recalling the events, Mal said, “On the flight back, he felt ill and they didn’t know what was wrong. They landed in Germany and as he was helped down the stairs, he collapsed. He was dead when they got him in the ambulance.”
Mal praised Jet2 for their assistance, stating, “The kids were taken off the flight and Jet2 put them up in a hotel and tried to find them a flight home the next day.” Mal, who lives in Morecambe, travelled to Manchester Airport and took the first available flight to Germany, eventually reaching Cologne to bring Reece and Archie back to the UK.
Reflecting on Chris, who was originally from Ellesmere Port and later moved to Runcorn, Mal described him as a devoted Everton fan who lived life to the fullest. “He was 6ft 4in, went to the gym every day, and was massive. He lived for his children. There are so many photos of him with his sons,” Mal shared.
Mal concluded with a poignant tribute, “He was full of fun, bubbly, and would do anything for anybody. He was really liked by everyone.”
The family is now fundraising to cover the costs of repatriation, coroner bills in Germany, and Chris’s funeral in England, estimating the total cost to be around £15,000.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Yahoo UK News: A 40-year-old father, Chris Neill, died on a Jet2 flight to Liverpool after falling ill, prompting an emergency landing, with his family seeking help to cover repatriation and funeral costs. (Read more)
- Express.co.uk reports on Chris Neill, a 40-year-old dad who died on a Jet2 flight, highlighting his travel with children and the emotional fundraising efforts by his family to cover repatriation and funeral costs. (Read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened to the father on the Jet2 flight?
Chris Neill tragically passed away after suffering a severe heart attack during a Jet2 flight.
Where did the emergency landing take place?
The emergency landing took place in Cologne, Germany.
Did Chris Neill have travel insurance?
Chris believed he had travel insurance through his bank, Halifax, but it had expired.
How much does the family estimate it will cost to repatriate Chris’s body?
The family estimates it will cost around £15,000.
How can people help Chris Neill’s family with the repatriation costs?
People can donate through their fundraising page.
