Boy, 8, dies after suffering gunshot to head on farm

An eight-year-old boy has died after he suffered firearm injuries to his head and face at a farm in Cumbria .

Police arrested a man in his 60s at the scene in Warcop on suspicion of assault, which has since been changed to gross negligence manslaughter.

Emergency services were called to reports the boy had been injured by a firearm on Saturday at 2.50pm.

The child was taken to hospital by air ambulance but he died overnight.

A Cumbria police spokesman said the firearm “was secured at the scene” and they are investigating the circumstances of the boy’s death.

A statement from the force said: “Police are investigating following the death of an eight-year-old boy.Emergency services were called at around 2.50pm yesterday (28 Sept) to a farm in the Warcop area following a report that a child had been seriously injured by a firearm at the property.

“Police and NWAS attended. The firearm was secured at the scene by police and an eight-year-old boy was taken to hospital by air ambulance having suffered serious and life-threatening injuries to his head and face.

“Sadly, the boy has died overnight. Officers arrested a man in his 60s at the scene on suspicion of assault GBH.

“He remains in police custody but is now under arrest on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.”