Eight-year-old Jay Cartmell’s parents have paid tribute to their son after he was shot dead on a farm (Picture: North News)
Eight-year-old Jay Cartmell’s parents have paid tribute to their son after he was shot dead on a farm (Picture: North News)

The heartbroken parents of an eight-year-old child who was fatally shot on a farm have paid tribute to their ‘perfect little boy.’

Jay Cartmell died in hospital after the incident which happened on a section of farmland in Warcop, Cumbria, last Saturday afternoon.

A man in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter, who has since been released on bail.

The tragedy happened at the farm which lies right next to the busy A66 and a short distance to Warcop village, which was decribed as ‘very, very rural’ has a population of just under 500.

A junior football club has paid tribute to one of their players who was fatally shot on a farm. Eight-year-old Jay Cartmell suffered life-threatening head and facial injuries following an incident on a section of land next to the A66 in Warcop, Cumbria, on Saturday afternoon (SEPT 28). However, despite the best efforts of medics, he died in hospital later that night. Police confirmed a firearm had been recovered from the scene and a man in his 60s had been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. Football clubs across west Cumbria have since paid tribute to Jay, who was a youth player for Whitehaven Miners FC.
Jay was a keen football fan who dreamed of meeting Messi

Paying tribute to their son today, Jay’s parents, Leigha and James Cartmell, said: ‘We are heartbroken at the passing of our perfect little boy.

‘He was loving, kind and full of mischief, the best boy that anyone could wish for and the third corner of our beautiful family “triangle.”

‘Jay loved being outdoors, the muddier he could get the better and was starting to follow in the footsteps of his dad with his obsession for speedway at Workington, where he first attended aged 1 year.

‘He always went to the pit to fist bump his heroes, local racers Harry and Sam McGurk.

‘Jay was a talented rider himself and was showing real promise for the sport.

‘Jay was a defender at Whitehaven Miners Football Club. He would occasionally score a goal, albeit an own goal, but that didn’t dampen his enthusiasm.

‘His favourite player was Erling Haaland and he had a dream to move to Brazil and to meet Lionel Messi.

Dated: 06/10/2024 Heartbroken parents Leigha and James Cartmell have paid tribute to their eight-year-old son Jay Cartmell, who was fatally shot on farmland in Warcop, Cumbria, last Saturday afternoon (SEPT 28), resulting in a man in his 60s being arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. See story North News
The youngster was killed during a shooting at a farm in Cumbria (Picture: North News)

‘Jay enjoyed fishing and rabbiting with his dad and helped care for the family pets – 4 lurchers, 5 ferrets and his own bearded dragon Spike which he received following a school achievement.

‘He loved school and had a talent for maths.

‘Jay was extremely loved, not only by us, but by all who met him. He had fantastic friends and always had a smile on his face.

‘We will miss him every day, but his love surrounds us and his memory will never fade.’

Mr and Mrs Cartmell also thanked the emergency services and doctors who helped care for their son.

The couple also expressed their gratitude to a number of locals including Jay’s football team for making donations.

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