Cumbria: Parents of boy, 8, killed in farm shooting 'heartbroken' by death of 'perfect little boy'

You are viewing content from Q Mid Antrim 107. Would you like to make this your preferred location?

The parents of an eight-year-old boy who was shot dead on a farm in Cumbria have said they are "heartbroken at the passing of our perfect little boy".

Jay Cartmell suffered serious head injuries on land near the A66, north of Warcop, on 28 September.

A man in his 60s was arrested at the scene and held on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. He was later bailed.

Jay's parents, Leigha and James Cartmell, have paid tribute to him in a statement issued by Cumbria Police, remembering him as "loving, kind and full of mischief".

They said he was "the best boy that anyone could wish for and the third corner of our beautiful family 'triangle'".

They added: "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.

"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."

The young boy also played football, and was a defender at Whitehaven Miners Football Club, where he would "occasionally" score an own goal, "but that didn't dampen his enthusiasm", his parents said.

His favourite player was Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and he dreamed of moving to Brazil to meet Lionel Messi, they added.

Jay, from Frizington in Cumbria, enjoyed fishing and rabbiting with his father and helped care for the family pets, including four lurcher dogs, five ferrets and his own bearded dragon named Spike.

Read more on Sky News:
Man arrested for 'incorrectly' boarding easyJet flight
Hurricane remnants to bring heavy wind and rain to UK

He loved school and was talented at maths, with his parents adding: "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."

Sky News

(c) Sky News 2024: Cumbria: Parents of boy, 8, killed in farm shooting 'heartbroken' by death of 'perfect little boy'

More from Q Radio National News

Join the Thank Q Club

Sign up for the Thank Q Club and receive exclusive offers, fun competitions and amazing prizes - it's quick and easy to do!

Sign Up Log In

Listen on the go

Download the Q Radio app to keep listening, wherever you are! It's available on Apple and Android devices.

Download from the App Store Download from Google Play