Cumbria shooting: Boy, 8, who died in fern incident was ‘rabbit hunting’ | Great Britain | News

A young boy who died in a shooting on a Cumbria farm was “hunting rabbits” when the tragedy occurred, it has emerged.

Emergency services rushed to the scene of the accident at around 2.50pm on Saturday at property near the A66 north of Warcop, Cumbria.

Police recovered a firearm at the scene and the eight-year-old child was taken to hospital in a rescue helicopter.

He died overnight from injuries to his head and face.

According to The Sun, the man was in the country with the child, scavenging rabbits. A source told the publication: “They had permission to be in the country. There has been an agreement for years that they can keep rabbits there.”

Another farmer, who also works on the land, said: “It was a tragic accident. I’m so sorry for the family, our thoughts are with them. It is deeply disturbing.”

A man in his 60s was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault. He was taken into police custody and later held on suspicion of gross negligent homicide.

The man was later released on bail while police continued their investigation.

Cumbria Police urged any witnesses to come forward.

A resident of nearby Brough told the PA news agency he was driving past the scene when he saw paramedics, police cars and a helicopter.

Frank Chalmers, 73, said: “I was passing the farm at about 3pm and saw the helicopter with its rotors stopped and paramedics marching up the hill, lots of police, maybe five police cars. A car was parked in the middle of an empty field.

“It all looked very serious. I think with this police presence it’s usually a horrific incident like a death. They don’t typically engage in this type of violence.”

The pensioner said the area was “very, very rural”.