An off-duty paramedic has described how tragedy unfolded as a man fell ill on a Jet2 flight from Bulgaria to Liverpool before dying, as tributes to the father-of-two continue to pour in.
Chris Neill, 40, from Runcorn in Cheshire, was flying to Liverpool John Lennon Airport from Burgas along with his two sons Reece, 19, and eight-year-Archie when he began to suffer chest pains.
The flight was forced to make an emergency landing in the German city of Cologne where Mr Neill died shortly after being taken off the plane.
His family has since set up a GoFundMe appeal to help with the costs of bringing his body home and well wishers have now contributed more than £18,000.
His father Mal Neill, who set up the page along with Chris’s mother Lesley, has now allowed Rach-Victoria Leyland, the off-duty paramedic who tried to help, to share details of what happened, the Liverpool Echo reported.
Chris Neill, 40, who died after falling ill on a Jet2 plane from Bulgaria to Liverpool, is seen here at Everton’s Goodison Park ground alongside his eldest son Reece, 19
Tributes have been paid to Chris Neill and thousands of pounds donated to help repatriate his body from Germany where he died after his flight made an emergency landing in Cologne
Jet2 flight LS3214 had left Burgas for the UK with Chris and his sons onboard just after 1pm local time on Monday last week, with the crew declaring an emergency two hours into the journey after he was taken ill.
The pilots requested an immediate diversion, and the Boeing 737-800 landed in Germany after a rapid descent. The flight’s return to the UK was delayed until later that evening.
Ms Leyland has now written in a public social media post: ‘Permission given by Christopher’s Dad in desperate times!
‘As most of you are aware I attended a medical emergency last Monday on the flight home from Bulgaria. I was asked to assist with a 40-year-old male with chest pain, the male being Chris.
‘It was apparent to me Chris was suffering from a massive MI, in simple terms a heart attack.
‘I did a few checks and interventions and made the decision to tell the crew that the pilot needed to do an emergency landing.’
While on the flight, Mr Neill was taken to the front of the plane with an oxygen mask.
Ms Leyland said: ‘I managed with the help of an off-duty colonoscopy nurse and the crew to get Chris to the front of the plane so I had space in case Chris needed any emergency care.
‘Sadly after a few minutes of being sat at the front of the plane, Chris had a small seizure and went into cardiac arrest.’
Chris Neill, 40, from Runcorn in Cheshire, was flying to Liverpool John Lennon Airport from Burgas along with his two sons Reece, 19, and eight-year-Archie when he suffered chest pains
She told how she, the nurse and the plane’s crew started chest compressions before doing a medical handover on the runway to a German medical team.
After landing, Chris walked off the plane and down the steps onto the runway but before he reached the concrete he collapsed following what is believed to have been a severe heart attack.
Ms Leyland said Mr Neill ‘sadly passed away in hospital not so long after’.
She and his father, who lives in Morecambe, have since been in contact on discovering they have two mutual friends.
She added: ‘Mal sent me some flowers to work today bless him.’
She also pledged her support for the fundraiser, writing on Facebook: ‘His Dad Mal has set up a GoFundMe page in desperate need to get Chris home.
‘Sadly, I did not manage to save Chris’s life, despite all our efforts, but I am going to do my upmost to help him get Chris home to his family where he belongs so they can put him to rest.’
In a note written to her by Mal, he said: ‘To Rach, thank you for all the help dealing with my son on the flight from Bulgaria. Will meet you soon. Lots of love, Mal.’
A GoFundMe has since been set up by Chris’s parents, Malcom and Lesley, who are raising funds to bring their son’s body back to the UK and organise a funeral for him
He has also paid a emotional tribute to his son and praised Jet2 for their efforts.
He said of Chris: ‘He was a staunch Everton fan and brought his children up as Everton fans.
‘He lived life to the full and he was bubbly. He was 6ft 4in and went to the gym every day, he was massive.
‘He lived for his children and when I was going through photos for the GoFundMe there are so many of him and his sons.
‘He was full of fun, bubbly, he would do anything for anybody. I know people say that when someone dies but he would have. He was really liked by everyone.’
Former Merseyside Police officer Mal, 68, who has since flown out to Germany, added: ‘I can’t praise Jet2 enough for how they dealt with it all.
‘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.’
The airline has said in a statement: ‘We would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the customer’s family and friends at this very difficult time.’
Jet2 flight LS3214 left Burgas for the UK in the afternoon of September 16
Chris Neill’s father Mal Neill has praised Jet2 for their efforts (file image)
The family revealed on the fundraising page that Chris believed he had travel insurance through his bank, Halifax, but it had lapsed without renewal.
Other tributes have included a former colleague William Wren posting: ‘Chris worked for us in the Isle of Man whilst he was living here.
‘Was a really nice chap. Can’t believe it! It’s so sad. Sorry to everyone connected to Chris for your loss.’
To donate to the fundraiser, go to www.gofundme.com/f/4nd5c-help-bring-christopher-home.
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