Boy, 8, shot and killed while hunting rabbits was 'perfect' say heartbroken parents

Jay Cartmell, aged eight, was changeable portion hunting for rabbits successful Cumbria and tragically died aboriginal successful infirmary with his parents present paying tribute to their "perfect small boy"

The parents of young Jay Cartmell have paid tribute to their “perfect small boy” aft helium was changeable dormant successful a firearms incident.

Jay, 8, sustained superior caput injuries aft being shot connected on onshore adjacent the A66, northbound of Warcop, Cumbria astatine astir 2.50pm connected September 28.

Police and paramedics attended the scene, and helium was airlifted to hospital, where helium aboriginal died from injuries to his caput and face. A antheral successful his 60s who was arrested astatine the country connected suspicion of assault, and aboriginal held connected suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter, was aboriginal released connected bail.

Jay lived successful Frizington, much than 50 miles west, adjacent the Cumbrian coast. In a connection released yesterday by Cumbria Police, his parents Leigha and James Cartmell described Jay arsenic “loving, benignant and afloat of mischief”. They said: “We are heartbroken astatine the passing of our cleanable small lad - Jay Cartmell, 8 years.

“He was loving, benignant and afloat of mischief, the champion lad that anyone could privation for and the 3rd country of our beauteous household ‘triangle’. Jay loved being outdoors, the muddier helium could get the amended and was starting to travel successful the footsteps of his Dad with his obsession for Speedway astatine Workington, wherever helium archetypal attended aged 1 years.

“He ever went to the Pit to fist bump his heroes, section racers Harry and Sam McGurk. Jay was a talented rider himself and was showing existent committedness for the sport. Jay was a defender astatine Whitehaven Miners Football Club. He would occasionally people a goal, albeit an ain goal, but that didn’t dampen his enthusiasm.

“His favourite subordinate was Erling Haaland and helium had a imagination to determination to Brazil and to conscionable Lionel Messi. Jay enjoyed sportfishing and rabbiting with his Dad and helped attraction for the household pets:- 4 lurchers, 5 ferrets and his ain bearded dragon, Spike, which helium received pursuing a schoolhouse achievement. He loved schoolhouse and had a endowment for maths.

“Jay was highly loved, not lone by us, but by each who met him. “He had fantastic friends and ever had a grin connected his face. We volition miss him each day, but his emotion surrounds america and his representation volition ne'er fade. We would similar to explicit our sincere gratitude to each who person looked aft Jay:- The Air Ambulance Service; PICU, Ward 12 RVI and the Snowdrop Suite astatine Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

“Also peculiar acknowledgment to the Workington Speedway Supporters Club for their astonishing donations; JD Autos and Fellview Surgery for their ongoing support; the Workington Comets, particularly Andrew Bain, for a peculiar acquisition which we volition treasure everlastingly and to Whitehaven Miners for each that they person done and proceed to bash successful Jay’s honour.”

A Cumbria constabulary spokesperson said astatine the clip of the shooting that the firearm "was secured astatine the scene". Officers are continuing to analyse the circumstances and encouraged anyone who whitethorn person witnessed the incidental oregon the moments starring up to it to travel forward.