Police are investigating following the death of an eight-year-old boy after an incident involving a gun on a farm. Officers said the boy died overnight after being taken to hospital with injuries to his head and face.

Cumbria Police said the emergency services were called to the farm in the Warcop area on Saturday afternoon. It had been reported that a child had been “seriously injured” by a firearm.

Police and the ambulance service went to the scene. The boy was taken to hospital by air ambulance, but police said on Sunday morning that he had died overnight.

A force spokesperson said: “Emergency services were called at around 2.50pm yesterday (Sept 28) 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 (North West Ambulance Service) 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.”