Hunter killed in rabbit shooting tragedy
A man was shot dead in a tragic accident while out hunting rabbits with a friend on farmland in Shropshire.
The dead man, who was aged 30 but has not been named, was fatally injured in fields near Brockton, about two miles from Bishop's Castle.
It is believed the man and his friend, who are both thought to come from Lichfield, were out rabbiting with the permission of the landowning farmer when the tragedy happened.
Such organised hunting trips to the farm are believed to be regular events, happening three or four times a year.
The two men were understood to be passing from one field into another when the accident happened. Coroner John Ellery has been informed and a post mortem will be held tomorrow.
It is thought the alarm was raised at a nearby house, but despite the victim being treated at the scene and taken to hospital he died of his injuries.
Inspector Andrew Smith, of West Mercia Police, said it appeared to be a tragic accident.
He said: "We have limited information at the moment but we did deal with an incident out at Brockton on Friday where a man received gunshot wounds. He went to hospital but, sadly, did not survive.
"At this stage, it appears to have been a tragic accident but inquiries are continuing."
The location of the accident, which happened at about 9.30pm on Friday, is just below Bury Ditches Iron Age hill fort.
Julia Parker, a resident of nearby Bishop's Castle, said the news had shocked locals.
She said: "It is terribly tragic. It sounds like two friends in their early 30s and from Lichfield who regularly came to shoot rabbits in this area each year were out at about 9.30pm. It is terribly sad and I remember something similar happening not far away from here many years ago."
No-one from West Midlands Ambulance Service was available to comment.
