The heartbroken parents of an eight-year-old boy who died in a shooting incident on a farm have paid a poignant tribute to their “loving, kind and full of mischief” son. Jay Cartmell lost his life after sustaining severe head and facial injuries following the incident near the A66 in Warcop, Cumbria, on Saturday, September 28.
The young boy was airlifted to hospital but succumbed to his injuries the next day. It is believed that Jay had been out rabbit hunting when the heartbreaking event occurred.
Now Jay’s distraught parents, Leigha and James, have spoken out for the first time since their son’s untimely passing. In a moving tribute shared via Cumbria Police, they revealed how Jay loved the outdoors and played for Whitehaven Miners Football Club.
Their statement read: “We are heartbroken at the passing of our perfect little boy – Jay Cartmell, eight years. He was loving, kind and full of mischief, the best boy that anyone could wish for and the third corner of our beautiful family ‘triangle’.
“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, where he first attended aged one. 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.
“Jay was a defender at Whitehaven Miners Football Club. He would occasionally score a goal, albeit an own goal, but that didn’t dampen his enthusiasm. His favourite player was Erling Haaland and he had a dream to move to Brazil and to meet Lionel Messi.
“Jay enjoyed fishing and rabbiting with his dad and helped care for the family pets – four lurchers, five ferrets and his own bearded dragon (Spike) which he received following a school achievement. He loved school and had a talent for maths.
“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.”
The statement continued: “We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all who have looked after Jay – The Air Ambulance Service, PICU, Ward 12 RVI and the Snowdrop Suite at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. Also special thanks to the Workington Speedway Supporters Club for their amazing donations, JD Autos and Fellview Surgery for their ongoing support; the Whitehaven Comets, especially Andrew Bain, for a special gift which we will treasure forever and to Whitehaven Miners for all that they have done and continue to do in Jay’s honour.”
Detectives retrieved a firearm from the scene and apprehended a man in his 60s on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. The individual, hailing from West Cumbria, has since been released on bail.
Investigations into the incident are still under way. Police have urged any potential witnesses to step forward by calling 101.