Taxi driver friend of Bird’s was first victim of rampage

DERRICK BIRD’S killing spree began when he shot several colleagues in Whitehaven in Cumbria, then drove his cab through the countryside of the Lake District blasting other victims, apparently at random.

Following a frantic manhunt, police found his body 20 miles away in woods near the hamlet of Boot three- and-a-half hours later.

Police said there were 30 separate crime scenes.

Cumbria Police said after leaving the town, Bird travelled south along the coast, shooting people in Gosforth, Seascale and Egremont, before turning inland and ending up in Boot. Officers later recovered two weapons.

Bird was said to be close to a fellow taxi driver he killed in Duke Street, Whitehaven, as he started his rampage at 10.30am.

One Whitehaven taximan claimed an argument broke out between Bird and the other three men last night at the Duke Street taxi rank.

“All of the taxi drivers were friends. But I heard last night there was an argument on the taxi rank.

“I don’t know what caused it, but something must have happened last night. Derrick Bird took off in his car and went home. I don’t know what time of night it was.”

Eyewitnesses in Seascale described how Bird took “pot shots” at people while racing through the village, killing two people.

Jane Robinson, in her 70s, was shot dead while going door-to-door on Drigg Road in Seascale, delivering Bettaware catalogues.

She lived just doors away with her twin sister, Barrie.

A second victim, Michael Pike, 64, was blasted to death riding a bicycle.

Pike lived with his wife, Sheena, and son, Jason, 39.

Last night, his son said: “We understand that he was shot dead while out cycling which he did most mornings to keep fit. He was a much-loved husband, father and grandfather. He was a happy man at the time he died and satisfied with the things he achieved.

“We are well aware my father was not the only person who died today and we feel for all the other people who lost loved ones.”

Garry Purdham was shot dead while cutting his hedges at his home just outside Seascale.

Jane Reeves, who was his teacher in school, said: “He was a fantastic lad, really good at sports, good at rugby. I worked with his mum and wife. I can’t believe it.

“He was in his early 30s with two children – toddlers. People are devastated, just in shock.”

A man reported finding the body of a woman in her 60s outside his house in Egremont. Billy Boakes did not see the shooting but heard gunshots at 11am.

Another Egremont resident said she saw the body of a man lying on a road bridge in the town.

Boot Inn landlord Sean King said fellow publican Harry Berger, who runs the Woolpack in Boot, was shot in the arm in Seascale and was recovering in hospital.

Bird crashed and dumped his car at the Boot Inn, continuing on foot into the woods where his body was found.

The Queen last night said she was “deeply shocked” by the shootings in Cumbria. The monarch also expressed her sympathy for the families of those killed and injured by Bird.