ThisisBigBrother.com - UK TV Forums - Cumbria: gunman was on the loose

Timeline of Event

1555 BST

A farmer believed to have been killed in his field in Gosforth was in his early 30s with two young children, a local resident said. The neighbour told the Press Association she had heard that the victim was trimming hedges with his uncle when the gunman drove past, wound down the car window and shot him.
1548 BST

Rod Davies, landlord of the Gosforth Hall Inn in the village of Gosforth, said he understood the gunman had shot his own mother. Mr Davies told the Press Association: "The guy flipped for whatever reason. Whether it was pre-meditated, we don't know."
1540 BST

At least five people have died and at least 25 have been injured in the shootings, police say. Officers are now working to identify those who have died and inform immediate family.

Police repeated their helpline number - 0800 0960095 - and appealed for members of the public with friends and family in the West Cumbria area to ensure they are safe and well.
1530 BST

Rev John Bannister, from the Whitehaven parish, tells the BBC it is "a day of shock and trauma" for the community. He says there is a feeling of "disbelief" that something like this could happen there.
1518 BST

Sue Matthews, a telephonist at A2B Taxis in Whitehaven, said Derrick Bird was "a quiet fellow". She told the Press Association: "I am in absolute shock. I can't believe he would do that. I know him through work, he was self-employed, but it's a small place. I know he had one son, who was grown up, and he lived alone."

Ms Matthews said he was "fairly popular", adding: "He was known as Birdy."
1510 BST

Labour MP for Whitehaven Jamie Reed says the community was "already grieving" following a fatal coach crash last week which killed three people.

"The community's already feeling very, very sore, very battered, and for something like this to happen in an area of exceptionally low crime, one of the lowest crime rates in the country, is a huge shock to the system for everybody."
1502 BST

Prime Minister David Cameron tells the House of Commons that at least five people have died in the Cumbria shootings. He says the thoughts of all MPs are with those affected by these "shocking" events.
1453 BST

The BBC understands that police are still searching for casualties along the route taken by Derrick Bird.

NHS Cumbria say all routine operations have been cancelled at West Cumbria Hospital in Whitehaven.
1444 BST

Julian Kirkley, a resident in the village of Frizington, told the BBC his next-door neighbour knew suspected gunman Derrick Bird. "She's lived here all her life and knows the Bird family very well," he said. "She's completely surprised and said Derrick Bird seemed a very normal person."
1433 BST

A major incident has been declared at West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven. The accident and emergency department at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle is also ready and also on full incident stand-by.

Referring to a coach crash last month in Cumbria in which three teenagers died, trust deputy chief executive Kevin Clarkson said: "This is our second major incident within 10 days and again our staff are doing a fantastic job under very difficult circumstances."

The hospital did not confirm specific casualty numbers.
1430 BST

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed any of the events of today to come forward. They also want anyone who knows of Derrick Bird's whereabouts in the past 24 hours to contact them.
1423 BST

Whitehaven councillor John Kane tells the BBC that Derrick Bird had always appeared to be "very placid... a very quiet man... kept himself to himself". He says "something must have pushed him over the edge".
1416 BST

The BBC's Chris Stewart, in Whitehaven, says Derrick Bird is believed to have shot himself dead.

Police had previously warned the public to lock themselves indoors while the incident was ongoing. They now say those who were sheltering can safely return to their to normal activities.
1410 BST

Police say they have seized a gun from the scene where Derrick Bird's body is believed to have been discovered. They say they are now working to confirm the number of people injured or dead.

A helpline number 0800 0960095 has been set up for anyone concerned about relatives.
1404 BST

Police hunting Derrick Bird say they believe they have found his body in a wood near the village of Boot.
1400 BST

The BBC's Daniel Sandford says he has heard reports that several victims have been shot in the face.
1356 BST

An eyewitness in the village of Boot tells the BBC they saw Derrick Bird crash the car he was driving. He then made off on foot.
1354 BST

John Cook, from Seascale, tells the BBC he saw three dead bodies on a single street in the village. "I thought a person had just collapsed. Then I went another 50, 60 or 70 yards further on and saw a cyclist. It looked as if something had happened to them, there was a blanket over that person."
1350 BST

Dr Barrie Walker, a GP in the village of Seascale, tells the BBC he personally certified two people dead. Both had suffered shotgun wounds. He describes the experience as "horrific".
1346 BST

The BBC's Chris Stewart, in Whitehaven, says he understands there have been 11 shootings - it is currently unclear how many of those have been fatal.
1340 BST

Cumbria Police say they are using every armed police patrol in the county to apprehend Derrick Bird. They say the response includes armed vehicle and foot patrols, police dogs units and air support from Lancashire. He is currently believed to be in the Boot area in Eskdale Valley.
1336 BST

Sean King, landlord of the Boot Inn, says about 25 people, including several "shell-shocked" tourists, are currently "holed up" in his pub. He tells the BBC helicopters are involved in the search for Derrick Bird, some so low that they are "literally shaking the rafters of the building".
1332 BST

Sellafield nuclear plant, close to the village of Seascale where there is thought have been some shooting earlier, is in lockdown. All gates to the site have been closed. Morning shift personnel will remain on site and afternoon shift staff have been advised not to turn up for work until further notice.
1326 BST

Deputy chief constable Stuart Hyde tells the BBC that public safety is the force's number one priority at this time. He says there have been a number of fatalities and injuries. He repeats the message that members of the public should stay indoors.
1320 BST

The BBC understands that Derrick Bird is a taxi driver. A man who knows him says he is self-employed and he "wouldn't have expected him to do something like that".
1315 BST

The BBC's Chris Stewart, in Whitehaven, says a farmer is understood to have been shot dead at point blank range in a field at 1130 BST near the village of Gosforth.
1311 BST

Police say Derrick Bird has abandoned his car in the Boot area and is now believed to be travelling by foot. Officers are in pursuit and urge members of the public to shelter indoors until further notice.

Officers are also asking walkers and tourists in that area to be vigilant, take extra care and head indoors if at all possible. Drivers are being warned not to pick up hitchhikers.
1304 BST

Radio Cumbria reports that at least four people are feared dead.
1239 BST

Police release a photograph of the man they are searching for - 52-year-old Derrick Bird, of Rowrah near Frizington. He was last seen heading south in the Central Lakes direction. He may have abandoned the car and be proceeding on foot.

Police also confirms there have been "a number of fatalities" and they are working to identify the individuals and inform relatives.
1218 BST

Police say armed officers are working to apprehend a man who is described as in his thirties with a shaven head, and driving a dark grey/silver Citroen Picasso registration ND55 ZFC. Any members of the public who see the vehicle are asked to call 999 immediately.
1214 BST

Police confirm that a number of people have been injured after shots were fired in the Whitehaven, Seascale and Egremont areas. They ask people in the Millom, Broughton, Central Lakes and West Lakes areas to stay indoors and tune in to local radio to stay up to date on the latest situation.
1156 BST

One person is known to have been shot dead in the town of Whitehaven. The shooting is understood to have taken place in Duke Street at 1035 BST.
1117 BST

Cumbria Police say officers were called to Duke Street in Whitehaven at 1035 BST after reports that shots were fired by a man. Armed police are working to apprehend the man and are asking members of the public in Whitehaven and Egremont to stay indoors until further notice. The man is believed to be driving a silver/grey Citroen Picasso car.