A 64-year-old man has been charged over the death of a boy after an incident involving the discharge of a firearm.

Jay Cartmell, eight, suffered a serious head injuries in the incident, which happened on land near Warcop, Cumbria, on 28 September 2024.

The boy, from Frizington, Cumbria, was taken to hospital by air ambulance, and was later pronounced dead.

Cumbria Police said in a statement on Tuesday that Allan Thursby, 64, of Cleator Moor, had been charged with gross negligence manslaughter.

The force said that he was arrested on the day of the incident, and has been on police bail since then.

Thursby has been bailed to appear at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court on 26 March, police added.

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In a statement, Jay’s parents, Leigha and James Cartmell, described their son as the “third corner of our beautiful family triangle” who was “loving, kind and full of mischief”.

“Jay was extremely loved not only by us, but by all who met him”, they added. “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.”