A father has shared the heartbreaking experience of having to collect his grandchildren after their father tragically passed away on a Jet2 flight back from a family holiday. Chris Neill, aged 40, fell ill on the plane traveling from Burgas in Bulgaria to Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport. The flight was diverted to Cologne, Germany, where Chris sadly passed away upon landing. It was revealed that Chris had been on holiday with his children when he became unwell during the flight.
Chris’s father, Mal Neill, flew to Germany the following day to bring his grandchildren, Reece and Archie, aged 19 and 8, back to the UK. Mal described his son as a bubbly person who lived life to the fullest and was loved by everyone. The family is now raising money to bring Chris’s body back home after discovering that his travel insurance had expired, leaving them in a challenging situation.
Chris’s eldest son informed his grandmother of the tragic incident, and Mal immediately flew out to Germany to attend to the situation. Despite the efforts of the ambulance crew, Chris did not survive, collapsing upon exiting the plane. Mal praised Jet2 for their support in assisting the family during this difficult time. He remembered Chris as a dedicated Everton supporter and gym enthusiast who prioritised his children. The family is seeking donations to cover the costs of repatriation and funeral expenses, which could amount to £15,000.
Mal reminisced about Chris’s fun-loving nature and generosity, highlighting his positive impact on everyone he knew. The family is dealing with the grief of their loss while facing the financial burden of bringing Chris back home. For those looking to contribute or learn more about the fundraising efforts, further details can be found on the dedicated donation page.