A PRIMARY school has paid tribute to a ‘much loved pupil’ who tragically died following a firearm incident near Warcop.

Jericho Primary School in Whitehaven, said it was ‘mourning the tragic loss’ of eight-year-old Jay Cartmell, who passed away on Saturday, following the incident on land not far from the A66.

A 60-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter and has since been released on bail.

A statement from Jericho Primary School, which Jay attended, said: “Our Jericho family are mourning the tragic loss of Jay Cartmell, a much-loved pupil, who passed away earlier this week.

“Our school community is deeply saddened by this devastating event and offers heartfelt condolences to the family.

“We are respecting the family's wishes by limiting the information we publish.

“We ask that all in our Jericho family and community keep them in your thoughts.”

Football shirts have been displayed as part of the tributes outside Whitehaven Miners FCFootball shirts have been displayed as part of the tributes outside Whitehaven Miners FC (Image: Newsquest) Football clubs from across west Cumbria have paid tribute to Jay, of Frizington, who was a youth player for Whitehaven Miners Social FC. He was also a Speedway fan.

A memorial has been created outside the Whitehaven Miners Social FC ground, with floral tributes, football shirts and ornaments laid in Jay’s memory.

A JustGiving page set up to support the family has already raised nearly £3,000.

It says: “We are raising £5,000 in memory of Jay Cartmell who tragically lost his life on Saturday, September 28, aged eight.

“Jay was a football/speedway fan who loved to spend his time playing football for Whitehaven Miners Social Football Club and had recently followed his Dad into Speedway.

“All donations will go directly to his loving family to help them in their hour of need to help with the costs of the loss of their son Jay.

“He will be a big loss to the world and his memory will live on through any loving messages the family will receive at this sad time.”

A Whitehaven Miners teddy bear is among the tributes left to eight-year-old Jay CartmellA Whitehaven Miners teddy bear is among the tributes left to eight-year-old Jay Cartmell (Image: Newsquest) A statement from Workington Comets read: "Over the past few days, the news has broken that one of our own, Jay Cartmell, has tragically lost his life.

"Jay was a regular at the Workington Speedway with his family each week, having recently taken up Speedway, much to his family's joy, seeing him make strides each time he took to the track.

"We want to try and help the family through this awful time by raising funds to help.

"Rest in peace Jay, you will be sadly missed."

As police continue with their enquiries into the incident, they are encouraging anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or the moments leading up to it, to come forward.

Anyone with information which may assist can report to police online at www.cumbria.police.uk/reportit quoting incident number 135 of 28 September 2024. They can also phone on 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

To donate to the JustGiving page, go to: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/barry-collins-3