An eight-year-old boy who was shot in the head and face was reportedly hunting rabbits on farmland in Warcop. He tragically passed away from his injuries overnight in hospital
A child who was shot to death on farmland in Warcop was allegedly hunting rabbits, according to reports.
Police were called to reports that a boy had been seriously injured by a firearm by Wheatsheaf Farm at around 2.50pm on Saturday. Emergency services rushed the boy to hospital, where he sadly died overnight. He suffered from serious injuries to his face and head.
Cumbria Police confirmed that they arrested a man in his 60s close by. They said he remains in custody on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. A spokesperson for the force said: “Police are investigating following the death of an eight-year-old boy.
“Emergency services were called at around 2.50pm yesterday (28 Sept) to a farm in the Warcop area following a report that a child had been seriously injured by a firearm at the property. Police and NWAS attended.
“The firearm was secured at the scene by police and an eight-year-old boy was taken to hospital by air ambulance having suffered serious and life-threatening injuries to his head and face. Sadly, the boy has died overnight.”
They added: “Officers arrested a man in his 60s at the scene on suspicion of assault GBH. He remains in police custody but is now under arrest on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.”
Residents has been left devastated following the tragedy, with locals stating that they live in a “close-knit community”. It comes after a man, who owns the land where the incident happened, said he was “deeply upset” by the shooting.
He earlier told The Sun: “I had to witness what happened. It’s deeply upsetting. My mother is in her 80s and ill.”
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