First picture of dad who died on Jet2 flight to Liverpool

Chris Neill was on holiday with his two children

A passenger who died on his way back to Liverpool with his two children has been named as Chris Neill. The dad-of-two was travelling with sons Reece, 19, and Archie, 8, when he felt unwell on the flight from Bourgas, Bulgaria, to Liverpool John Lennon Airport on Monday, September 16.

The plane made an emergency landing in Cologne, Germany, before he was led off the plane to the awaiting emergency services but as he walked down the steps from the plane to the runway, the 40-year-old collapsed. It is believed he suffered a severe heart attack and died.

A GoFundMe has since been set up by Chris’s parents, Mal and Lesley, who are raising funds to repatriate Chris and organise his funeral. It comes as it was revealed by the family that Chris believed he had travel insurance through his bank, Halifax, but it had lapsed without renewal, leaving the family to foot the bill.

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A Jet2 spokesperson told the ECHO: “We can confirm that flight LS3214 from Bourgas to Liverpool John Lennon diverted to Cologne on Monday 16th September, due to a customer requiring medical assistance. Regrettably, we can confirm that the customer sadly passed away.

“We would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the customer’s family and friends at this very difficult time.”

A Liverpool John Lennon Airport spokesperson commented: “We have been made aware that flight LS3214 from Bourgas to Liverpool diverted to Cologne on Monday 16th September due to a passenger requiring medical assistance and that they sadly passed away.

“Our thoughts at this sad time are with the passenger’s family and friends, to whom we send our deepest condolences.”

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