A man has been released on bail after the tragic shooting of an eight-year-old boy at a farm. The incident occurred around 2.50pm on Saturday near the A66, north of Warcop, Cumbria, where emergency services including an air ambulance were called to the scene.
Despite efforts to save him, the child succumbed to head and face injuries overnight. Initially detained for assault, a man in his 60s was later arrested for gross negligence manslaughter but has since been bailed as inquiries continue.
Cumbria Police are appealing for witnesses. Local resident Frank Chalmers recounted to PA news agency his observations while passing by the farm.
The 73-year-old said: “I passed the farm at around about 3pm and I saw the helicopter with its rotors stopped and medics marching up the hill, a lot of police, maybe five police vans. One car was parked in the middle of an empty field.
“It all looked very serious. I think with that level of police presence it’s usually a dreadful incident like a death. They don’t usually turn out in that kind of force.”
He also described the area as “very, very rural”.
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