Farmer Garry Purdham named as Cumbria shooting victim
Tributes have been paid to farmer Garry Purdham who has been named as one of the victims in the Cumbria shootings.
Garry, 31, was working with his father John at Low Boonwood Farm on Gosforth Hill, Cumbria, on 2 June when he was shot and killed by gunman Derrick Bird.
No motive has been established for the killing of Garry who was married with two children.
NFU north west regional director Robert Sheasby described the shooting as “simply horrific”.
“Garry a member of the NFU Broughton-in-Furness office farmed cattle and sheep near Gosforth.
“I am deeply shocked and saddened by what has happened in Cumbria.
“Losing someone from the farming community is always hard to bear but to lose them in such a brutal way is unthinkable.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends at this terrible time.”
Garry was also known locally as a talented Rugby League player.
Chairman of Workington Town Rugby League Club David Bowden, said: “Garry had a wonderful, calm and mature temperament coupled with a dry sense of humour and as a result was one of those players that his team mates looked up to.
“He would think nothing of doing a stint on the farm before turning up to play professional rugby league.”