Police name child killed in Cumbria farm shooting

Police say a man has been bailed following arrest on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter

clock • 1 min read
Police name child killed in Cumbria farm shooting

An eight-year-old boy who died following an incident near Warcop on September 28 has been identified as West Cumbrian boy Jay Cartmel of Frizington.

The eight-year-old died after sustaining serious head injuries in an incident on land not far from the A66, north of Warcop.

 

A spokesperson for Cumbria Police said as officers continue with their enquiries into this incident, they are encouraging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or the moments leading up to it to come forward.

A man arrested following the death of the youngster has been bailed, police have confirmed.

READ NOW: Farmers must change 'tick-box mentality' on farm safety

Officers from Cumbria Police were called to a farm in the Warcop area on Saturday afternoon following reports a boy had been ‘seriously injured by a firearm'. 

Having sustained ‘serious and life-threatening injuries to his head and face', the boy was taken to hospital by air ambulance, but died from his injuries overnight.

The firearm was removed from the scene by police.

The man, in his 60s and from West Cumbria, had been under arrest on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. 

READ MORE: From the editor: "It is revealed that 34 people lost their lives on UK farms in the past year. That is 34 families whose lives have been changed forever"

More on Farm Safety

Industry fatalities hit 29 following death of farmer who fell from height

Industry fatalities hit 29 following death of farmer who fell from height

Many are being urged to take care as the number of fatalities is up 6 compared to the previous year (2024/25 April to March period) which saw 23 deaths

clock 27 February 2026 • 1 min read
Farmworker crushed to death as he helped younger colleague

Farmworker crushed to death as he helped younger colleague

A farm worker was crushed to death as he tried to hitch a mini picker to a tractor while working in a cauliflower field

Nick Irving
clock 03 February 2026 • 1 min read
Toddler drowned playing in shallow river

Toddler drowned playing in shallow river

A 29 month old little girl drowned while playing in a shallow river - as her father tried to round up sheep in a neighbouring field

Nick Irving
clock 21 January 2026 • 2 min read