Cumbria shooting: Boy, 8, who died in horror farm incident was 'hunting rabbits'

By Hannah Kane, News Editor

Police astatine the country adjacent Warcop, Cumbria, wherever an eight-year-old boy, suffered gunshot injuries (Image: Frank Chalmers / SWNS)

A young lad who died successful a shooting astatine a workplace successful Cumbria was "hunting for rabbits" erstwhile the calamity occurred, it has emerged.

Emergency services rushed to the country astatine astir 2.50pm connected Saturday to the spot adjacent the A66, northbound of Warcop, Cumbria.

A firearm was secured astatine the country by constabulary and the child, aged eight, was taken to infirmary by aerial ambulance.

He died overnight having suffered injuries to his caput and face.

According to The Sun, the antheral was connected the onshore rabbiting with the child. A root told the publication: "They had support to beryllium connected the land. There's been an statement successful spot for years for them to rabbit there."

Another farmer, who besides works connected the land, said: "It was a tragic accident. I consciousness truthful atrocious for the family, our thoughts are with them. It’s profoundly upsetting."

A antheral successful his 60s was arrested astatine the country connected suspicion of assault. He was taken to constabulary custody and aboriginal held connected suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.

The antheral was aboriginal bailed arsenic constabulary continued their investigations.

Cumbria Police urged immoderate witnesses to travel forward.

A nonmigratory of adjacent Brough told the PA quality bureau helium was driving by the country erstwhile helium saw medics, constabulary vans and a helicopter.

Frank Chalmers, 73, said: “I passed the workplace astatine astir astir 3pm and I saw the chopper with its rotors stopped and medics marching up the hill, a batch of police, possibly 5 constabulary vans. One car was parked successful the mediate of an bare field.

“It each looked precise serious. I deliberation with that level of constabulary beingness it’s usually a dreadful incidental similar a death. They don’t usually crook retired successful that benignant of force.”

The retiree said the country is “very, precise rural”.