Taxi Driver Goes on Rampage

I Was VB · 02-06-2010 4:27pm #1

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Body-Of-Suspected-Gunman-Found-After-Shootings-Across-Cumbria/Article/201006115642129?lpos=UK_News_Carousel_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15642129_Body_Of_Suspected_Gunman_Found_After_Shootings_Across_Cumbria

At least five people have been killed and 25 others are injured after a gunman carried out a series of shootings in Cumbria.
A body, believed to be that of the suspected attacker Derrick Bird, has been found in a wooded area near Boot, in Eskdale, police have said.

Officers hunting the 52-year-old self-employed taxi driver found a gun in the area where the body was discovered.

Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Hyde of Cumbria Police said: "I can confirm that we've found a body in a wooded area near Boot which we believe to be Mr Bird, together with a firearm. A formal identification will be made later."

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Some local reports are putting the number of shootings as high as 10.

He is thought to have begun his attacks in the middle of Whitehaven, where he apparently murdered two fellow taxi drivers and wounded a third.

He is then believed to have driven south along the coast, shooting at other victims, seemingly at random.

Derrick Bird is thought to have carried out the shootings

Police said the gunman drove through Gosforth and Seascale before turning inland and ending up in Boot, 20 miles from Whitehaven.

A man was reportedly shot dead in Gosforth. The victim was apparently in a field trimming hedges with his uncle when Bird apparently drove past, wound down a car window and blasted him.

The victim has been named locally as Gary Purdham, son of farmer John Purdham.

Two people were killed in Seascale, where local GPs were called to the scene, according to Sky sources.

There was also a shooting in the Egremont area, where eyewitnesses reported seeing a body lying on a road bridge in the town.

A Cumbria Police spokeswoman said: "Our focus is now on the movements of Mr Bird this morning - we believe there are a number of fatalities and injuries.

"Our thoughts are with the families in these tragic times. We are asking for any witnesses to come forward and help us with our investigation into the events of this morning.

"Police are asking those who were sheltering to now go about their normal day-to-day activities and would like to thank them for their patience in incredibly difficult circumstances."

A police helpline number - 0800 0960095 - has been set up for concerned relatives of those involved in this incident.

West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven has declared a major incident, while North Cumbria University Hospitals Trust has urged patients not to attend its casualty departments unless it was an "absolute emergency".

Police officers stand by a body following the shooting in Duke Street, Whitehaven

A local taxi company boss said both Bird and the Duke Street victim were self-employed drivers - and friends.

Glenda Pears, who runs L&G Taxis, said Bird had been a taxi driver for 23 years and was divorced with two sons.

She said: "We just don't know what's happened. The lad that's been killed was friends with him. They used to stand together having a craic on the rank."

A female taxi driver working for her had to swerve to avoid Bird's car immediately after the first shooting, she added.

The scene in Whitehaven in the aftermath of the shooting

"He was driving and she saw the gun. She was hysterical and had to pull over and stop. The gun was hanging out of the window. She's still shaken up because they've not caught him.

"We are just numb at the moment. We just want to know what he's done it for."