In a heartbreaking turn of events, a community is grappling with the loss of an eight-year-old boy who died after being shot in the face while allegedly “targeting rabbits” near a farm in the Warcop area of Cumbria.
Emergency services rushed to the scene around 2:05 PM on Saturday, responding to reports of a child suffering from serious and life-threatening injuries due to a firearm.
Despite being airlifted to a hospital, the young boy tragically passed away overnight.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have taken a man in his sixties into custody at the scene, initially on suspicion of assault.
However, he is now being investigated for gross negligence manslaughter.
A firearm was recovered from the nearby field, close to Wheatsheaf Farm, where the incident occurred.
Reports suggest that the man, who is also not from the area, was hunting rabbits with the landowner’s permission when the unfortunate accident took place.
In the UK, hunting rabbits is permitted on private land, provided the gun owner possesses the correct firearms license and written consent from the landowner.
Community Shock and Mourning
The hills around the farm are typically grazed by sheep, and the area is not used for game bird shooting.
A Ministry of Defence firing range is adjacent to the field, but a spokesperson confirmed that the incident was unrelated to their activities.
Councillor Heidi Strong, representing the Warcop Parish Council, expressed her grief over the situation, calling it “a horrible, horrible tragedy.”
She noted that residents are deeply shaken by the news, emphasizing that it was indeed an accident, though the details remain unclear.
Residents of the small village of Warcop, home to about 500 people, are feeling the impact of this tragedy.
One mother shared that she received an email from Warcop Church of England Primary School, confirming that the boy was not a student there.
She remarked on the community’s tight-knit nature and the initial panic over whether the victim was someone they knew, stating, “It is quite shocking; you really feel for the family. It is terrible news.”
Eyewitness Accounts
A video circulating online showed multiple emergency vehicles at the farm, located next to the busy A66 road and a short distance from the village.
Local resident Frank Chalmers, 73, described witnessing the emergency response as he drove home, noting the presence of police cars and an air ambulance.
“It is the most awful tragedy for the family and the community,” he said.
According to local rumors, the boy might have been attending the Brough Hill travellers’ horse fair, which takes place on the last weekend of September.
A young man in the village learned of the tragedy through a friend outside the area, expressing disbelief and sorrow over the incident.
He said, “This is all word of mouth, but apparently it was an accident.
The guy has been arrested for gross negligence manslaughter, so that’s what we think has happened.”
A Quiet Community in Shock
Another parent mentioned how friends had reached out to ask about the situation, acknowledging that while it’s sad for the village, he did not know the family personally.
“It’s a quiet village, but people have been quiet about it so far today,” he said.
In a statement, Cumbria Police confirmed that emergency services were alerted to the scene around 2:50 PM, following a report of a child injured by a firearm.
The firearm was secured by police, and they stated, “Sadly, the boy died overnight.”
As the community comes to terms with this devastating event, many residents are sending their condolences and support to the boy’s family, hoping for healing in a time of such deep sorrow.
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