Shot Boy, 8, Died on Rabbit Hunting Trip

An eight-year-old boy died from a suspected gunshot wound sustained during a rabbit-shooting expedition, a coroner said.

Jay Cartmell, from Frizington, was shot in the head in Warcop, near Appleby in Cumbria, on September 28.

An inquest into his death was formally opened at Cockermouth Coroners’ Court on Thursday.

As police continue to investigate Jay’s death, Cumbria Deputy Coroner Dr. Nicholas Shaw, the investigation has been adjourned until a later date.

After the shooting on land near the A66, a man in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter and later released on bail.

Dr. Shaw established that the boy had been airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, where he died.

During a brief hearing he said: “The brief circumstances – and this has already been widely reported in the press – are that Jay unfortunately suffered a serious injury during a rabbit hunting expedition.”

It is suspected he suffered a shotgun wound, the coroner said.

A decision on whether a full investigation is necessary will be made once the police investigation is complete, the hearing was told.

Dr. Shaw also said that proof of identity in the case was provided by a funeral director who was also a friend of Jay’s family.

Jay, who played for Whitehaven Miners Social Football Club, followed in his father’s footsteps and took up speedway with the Workington Comets. He is said to have loved being outside.

Last weekend, junior and senior footballers across Cumbria paid tribute to Jay by applauding for a minute before games.

In a tribute, heartbroken parents Leigha and James described him as “loving, kind and full of mischief”.

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