The parents of an eight-year-old boy who was tragically shot dead on a farm have paid a heart-wrenching tribute to their “loving, kind and full of mischief” son.
Jay Cartmell sadly died after suffering life-threatening head and facial injuries following the incident next to the A66 in Warcop, Cumbria, on Saturday, September 28. The schoolboy was airlifted to hospital but sadly passed away the following day.
It is understood that Jay had been hunting rabbits when the tragedy took place. Jay’s devastated parents, Leigha and James, have spoken for the first time since the youngster’s death.
In a heartbreaking tribute released through Cumbria Police, they told how Jay loved to be outdoors and how he played for Whitehaven Miners Football Club.
The statement reads: “We are heartbroken at the passing of our perfect little boy – Jay Cartmell, eight years. 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 one. 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.
“Jay enjoyed fishing and rabbiting with his dad and helped care for the family pets – four lurchers, five 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.”
The grieving mother and father also thanked emergency services and medical staff who cared for Jay before his untimely death.
The statement continued: “We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all who have looked after Jay – The Air Ambulance Service, PICU, Ward 12 RVI and the Snowdrop Suite at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. Also special thanks to the Workington Speedway Supporters Club for their amazing donations, JD Autos and Fellview Surgery for their ongoing support; the Whitehaven Comets, especially Andrew Bain, for a special gift which we will treasure forever and to Whitehaven Miners for all that they have done and continue to do in Jay’s honour.”
Detectives recovered a firearm from the scene and arrested a man in his 60s on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. The man, from West Cumbria, has since been released on bail.
Inquiries into the fatal firearms incident remain ongoing. Officers have encouraged any witnesses to come forward.
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