The latest news suggests that there are a number of fatalities after a gunman went on a rampage in the Lake District early this morning. Reports are saying that the number of fatalities may be significantly higher than first thought as sightings of bodies continue to come in.

Early on police issued a photograph of Derrick Bird, 52, from Rowrah, near Frizington and warned residents across west Cumbria to stay indoors and lock down their houses and places of work. Local pubs and even the local nuclear plant closed and locked their doors. However, the Cumbria Constabulary has now issued a statement saying they have found a body in a wood near Boot, Cumbria which they believe to be Derrick Bird. Police have told residents in the affected areas that they are now free to go about their business.

A force spokesman had this to say: “Police have seized a gun from the scene and are now working to formally confirm the identity of the deceased and the number of people injured or dead.” The police have issued a helpline phone number for concerned relatives – 0800 0960095.
The first shots were reportedly fired at around 10.30am this morning in Duke Street, Whitehaven. The massive police response consisted of armed and foot patrols, police dogs, security guards and air support.

Witnesses of the rampage have come forward to report sightings of bodies lying in the streets and sightings of Derrick Bird, driving his car this morning with a shotgun aimed out of the broken window. Many have described Bird, a self-employed taxi driver, as a nice man who kept himself to himself. He is thought to have a grown up son and is also thought to have been friends and colleagues with at least one of the fatalities.