Man held on suspicion of murder after farm shooting

A man is being quizzed on suspicion of murder after a farmer was shot dead in a field in Lancashire.

Thomas Olverson, 75, was found with a gunshot wound in a field in Pinfold Lane, Scarisbrick, on Thursday 25 July.

Despite the efforts of emergency services to revive him, Mr Olverson was pronounced dead at the scene.

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A 29-year-old man, who was known to the victim, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.

A shotgun was recovered from the scene.

Lancashire Police are conducting the murder investigation, led by Det Ch Insp Andy Fallows of the Force Major Investigation Team.

He said: “A man has very sadly lost his life as a result of this, and we have a dedicated team of officers working to establish what led to his death.”

Officers are treating the incident as isolated, with both parties known to each other, and no other suspects are being sought.

Mr Olverson lived at nearby Marsh Hey Farm, in Pinfold Lane, Scarisbrick.

Lancashire Police has appealed to anyone who was in the area of Pinfold Lane between 12:00pm and 5:30pm on 25 July  and saw or heard anything suspicious, or has dashcam footage, to come forward.

Witnesses can contact the police on 101, quoting log 1030 of 25 July 2024, or upload information via the major incident public portal here.