Man arrested over slaughterman shooting

Investigations are under way into the shooting of a slaughterman during the mass cull of livestock in Cumbria.

British police are working alongside the Health and Safety Executive to discover how a 27-year-old man from Hastings, East Sussex, received serious head injuries.

He was apparently injured by a stun gun while working at the former airfield at Great Orton, near Carlisle.

A 37-year-old Warwickshire man, also involved in the slaughter of animals, has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and is being questioned by police.

A Cumbria Police spokesman said: "The investigation is still in its early stages and there are people we have yet to speak to. It would be wrong to pre-judge what they are going to say.

"I can confirm that we are examining weapons involved in the slaughter of animals.

"I would also like to stress that we are working closely with the Health and Safety Executive to find out what happened."

The victim, who has not been named, is said to be in a serious condition with injuries that could prove life threatening.

He was initially treated at Cumberland General Infirmary following the incident, which happened on Wednesday afternoon, and later transferred to a hospital in Newcastle.