Coroner for North and West Cumbria, David Roberts, opened the inquests into the deaths of the twelve people who tragically died during the shootings in West Cumbria in June 2010, and the inquest into the death of Derrick Bird, on 1st March 2011. They are scheduled to continue until the beginning of April.
The Inquests are being held at Energus in Lillyhall, Workington.
Almost 300 witnesses will give evidence before a jury either in person or via written statements. Witnesses will include families of victims, members of the local community, health professionals and members of the emergency services who assisted on the day.
Click here to view future running orders
Latest News
25 March 2011
The Coroner summarised the evidence and provided guidance to the jury, who then retired to consider their verdict.
The jury returned a unanimous verdict that the twelve victims were unlawfully killed and Derrick Bird killed himself.
Statement from Chief Constable Craig Mackey
24 March 2011
The court will not sit on Thursday 24th March while the Coroner reviews the evidence heard.
23 March 2011
The following witnesses appeared in court:
Assistant Chief Constable Simon Chesterman - West Mercia Police
Author of report on Cumbria Constabulary response to shootings | Called to give evidence |
Assistant Chief Constable Jerry Graham - Cumbria Constabulary
Gold commander during incident | Called to give evidence |
22 March 2011
The following witnesses appeared in court:
| Dr Adrian West - Psychologist | Called to give evidence |
| Dr Mark Swinton - Psychiatrist | Called to give evidence |
| Dr Richard Shepherd - Pathologist | Called to give evidence |
21 March 2011
The following witnesses appeared in court:
| Dr Rogers - Flatt Walks Surgery, Whitehaven - Derrick Bird’s GP | Called to give evidence |
| Dr Catriona Boyle - Flatt Walks Surgery, Whitehaven - Derrick Bird’s GP | Statement read |
| Dr Van Bussel - Flatt Walks Surgery, Whitehaven - Derrick Bird’s GP | Called to give evidence |
| Stanley John Porter - Forensics expert | Statement read |
| DCI Jeff Ashton -Cumbria Constabulary - Victim identification | Called to give evidence |
| Joanne Short - Ballistics expert | Called to give evidence |
18 March 2011
The following witnesses appeared in court:
| Samantha Chrystie - Survivor | Called to give evidence |
| Craig Ross - Partner of Samantha Chrystie | Statement read |
| Graeme Curnow, friend of Derrick Bird | Statement read |
| Dr Gemma Taylor - Treated Samantha Chrystie | Statement read |
| Dr Graham Putnam - Treated Samantha Chrystie | Statement read |
| Darryl Coombes - Treated Samantha Chrystie | Statement read |
| Phillip Lowe - Survivor | Called to give evidence |
| Hayley Jewell - Witness to events in Eskdale | Statement read |
| Carleton Watts - Witness to events in Eskdale | Statement read |
| Nicholas James - Witness to events in Eskdale | Statement read |
| Jonathan Wilkinson - Witness to events in Eskdale | Statement read |
| Lee Turner - Witness to events at Doctor Bridge | Statement read |
| Zoe Turner - Witness to events at Doctor Bridge | Statement read |
| Michael Unsworth - Witness to events at Doctor Bridge | Statement read |
| PC David Hollier - Cumbria Constabulary | Called to give evidence |
| PC Mike Rogerson - Cumbria Constabulary | Called to give evidence |
| PC David Carr - Cumbria Constabulary | Statement read |
| Dr Guy Bickerton - Pronounced Derrick Bird dead | Statement read |
| Detective Suptintendent Andy Slattery - CSI Evidence | Called to give evidence |
| Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Whiting - Conducted review into Firearms Licensing Procedures at Cumbria Constabulary | Called to give evidence |
17 March 2011
The following witnesses appeared in court:
| Barbara Cook - Witness to events relating to the shootings of Jacqueline Lewis | Statement read |
| Jacqueline Lewis Survivor | Called to give evidence |
| David Crowe - Witness to events relating to the shooting of Jacqueline Lewis | Statement read |
| Carl Walnsley - Witness to events relating to the shooting of Jacqueline Lewis | Statement read |
| John Robert - Witness to events relating to the shooting of Jacqueline Lewis | Statement read |
| Dr Karen Greene - Treated Jacqueline Lewis | Statement read |
| Matthew Cadamy - Treated Jacqueline Lewis | Statement read |
| Claire Nicholson - Treated Jacqueline Lewis | Statement read |
| Detective Suptintendent Andy Slattery - CSI Evidence | Called to give evidence |
| Jason Slade - Witness to events relating to the shooting of Jacqueline Lewis | Statement read |
| PC Andrew Laverack - Police officer travelling in armed response vehicle | Called to give evidence |
| PC Phillip Lewis - Police officer travelling in armed response vehicle | Called to give evidence |
| Lynda Price - Saw Derrick Bird’s taxi on route between Seascale and Eskdale | Statement read |
| Larissa Fullagar-Read - Saw Derrick Bird’s taxi while riding horse | Statement read |
| Lorna Cooper - Witness to events in Eskdaleavid Ritson | Statement read |
| Ronald Phizacklea - Witness to events in Eskdale | Statement read |
| John Wedley - Witness to events in Eskdale | Statement read |
| Fiona Moretta - Survivor | Statement read |
| Catherine Bartley - Witness to events in Eskdale | Statement read |
| Tessa Hennessey - Witness to events in Eskdale | Statement read |
| Claire Summers - Treated Fiona Moretta | Statement read |
| Dr Graham Putnam - Treated Fiona Moretta | Statement read |
| Dr G Cousin - Treated Fiona Moretta | Statement read |
| Detective Superintendent Andy Slattery - CSI Evidence | Statement read |
| Robert Preston - Witness to events in Eskdale | Statement read |
| Christine Alty - Witness to events in Eskdale | Statement read |
| Reginald Miller - Witness to events in Eskdale | Statement read |
| Nathan Jones - Survivor | Called to give evidence |
| Charles Brett - Treated Nathan Jones | Statement read |
| Dr Graham Putnam - Treated Nathan Jones | Statement read |
| Dr Nick Pigadas - Treated Nathan Jones | Statement read |
16 March 2011
The following witnesses appeared in court:
| PC Gerard Doran. Vehicle examiner (examined Jamie Clark's car) | Statement read
|
| Harry Berger. Survivor | Called to give evidence
|
| Charles Wightman. Witness to events in Seascale | Statement read
|
| Jayne Summerson. Witness to events in Seascale | Statement read
|
| Marie Tattersall. Witness to events in Seascale | Statement read
|
| Richard Whillock. Witness to events in Seascale | Statement read
|
| Diane Sim. Witness to events in Seascale | Statement read
|
| Georgina Pyne-Lingham. Witness to events in Seascale | Statement read
|
| Louise Fuller | Witness to events in Seascale - Statement read
|
| Gavin Walker. Witness to events in Seascale | Statement read
|
| Elsie Whittle. Witness to events in Seascale | Statement read
|
| Avi Sharma. Treated Harry Berger | Statement read
|
| Claire Young. Treated Harry Berger | Statement read
|
| Professor Simon Kay. Treated Harry Berger | Statement read
|
| Detective Superintendent Andy Slattery. CSI evidence | Called to give evidence
|
| Sheena Pike. Wife of Mike Pike | Called to give evidence
|
| Geoffrey Beeby. Friend of Mike Pike | Statement read
|
| Jason Pike. Son of Mike Pike | Statement read
|
| Gillian Culshaw. Witness to events in Seascale | Called to give evidence
|
| Sandra Shand. Witness to events in Seascale | Statement read
|
| John Reeves. Witness to events in Seascale | Statement read
|
| Lisa Southward. Witness to events in Seascale | Statement read
|
| Alan Curwen. Witness to events in Seascale | Statement read
|
| Detective Superintendent Andy Slattery. CSI evidence | Called to give evidence
|
| Magaret Barrie Robinson | Statement read
|
| David Wills. Witness to events in Seascale | Called to give evidence
|
| James Young. Witness to events in Seascale | Statement read
|
| Steven Martin. Witness to events in Seascale | Statement read
|
| Leslie Temple, Witness to events in Seascale | Statement read
|
| Det Supt Andy Slattery, CSI Evidence | Called to give evidence
|
| Catherine Bradder, Witness to events in Seascale | Statement read
|
15 March 2011
The following witnesses appeared in court:
| Neville McKeating. Paramedic | Statement read |
| Peter Noel Mulcahy. Head of Service for North West Ambulance Service | Called to give evidence |
| Russell Birch. Witness to events relating to death of Jamie Clark | Statement read |
| Bruce Batty. Witness to events relating to death of Jamie Clark | Statement read |
| Amanda Carson. Witness to events relating to death of Jamie Clark | Statement read |
| Richard Clark. Brother of Jamie Clark | Called to give evidence |
| Leanne Jarman. Fiance of Jamie Clark | Called to give evidence |
| Philip Rene Le-Maire. Colleague of Jamie Clark | Statement read |
| Rachel Oakley. Witness to events relating to death of Jamie Clark | Statement read |
| Vivienne Tregidga. Witness to events relating to death of Jamie Clark | Called to give evidence |
| Peter Blacklock. Witness to events relating to death of Jamie Clark | Statement read |
| Steven Malpas. Witness to events relating to death of Jamie Clark | Statement read |
| Joanne Malpas. Witness to events relating to death of Jamie Clark | Statement read |
| Stephen Temple. Witness to events relating to death of Jamie Clark | Statement read |
| Anne Foley. Witness to events relating to death of Jamie Clark | Statement read |
| Det Supt Andy Slattery. CSI Evidence | Called to give evidence |
| Emma Graham. Telephone analysis | Statement read |
14 March 2011
The following witnesses appeared in court:
| Stephen Hunter. Husband of survivor Christine Hunter-Hall | Called to give evidence |
| Christine Hunter-Hall. Survivor | Called to give evidence |
| Dr Brett. Treated Christine Hunter-Hall | Statement read |
| Dr Ernest Jehanjir. Treated Christine Hunter-Hall | Statement read |
| Timothy Bruce Miles. Saw Derrick Bird on A595 | Statement read |
| Emma West. Saw Derrick Bird on A595 | Statement read |
| Ros Purdham. Wife of Garry Purdham | Called to give evidence |
| Michael Farran. Witness to events close to Red Admiral pub | Statement read |
| Daniel Harper. Witness to events close to Red Admiral pub | Called to give evidence |
| Andrew Barnes. Witness to events close to Red Admiral pub | Statement read |
| John Purdham. Father of Garry Purdham | Statement read |
| Dr Barrie Walker. Attended scene close to Red Admiral pub | Statement read |
| Detective Superintendent Andy Slattery. CSI evidence | Statement read |
| Judith Fee. Derrick Bird's ex-girlfriend | Statement read |
| Mark Littlejohn. Cumbria Constabulary's High Tech Crime Unit | Statement read |
| David Ritson. Taxi driver | Statement read |
| Carl Clarke. Gave Derrick Bird permission to shoot on his land | Statement read |
11 March 2011
The following witnesses appeared in court:
| John Norman Sherwen. Saw Derrick Bird in Haile area | Statement read |
| Margaret Earl. Sister of Isaac Dixon | Called to give evidence |
| Thomas Dixon. Brother of Isaac Dixon | Statement read |
| Martyn Dixon. Son of Isaac Dixon | Statement read |
| DC Kelly Hayton. Present during formal identification of Isaac Dixon | Statement read |
| Cyril Moore. Witness to events relating to Isaac Dixon | Called to give evidence |
| Keith Long. Witness to events relating to Isaac Dixon | Statement read |
| PC Robert James Forbes. Neighbourhood Policing Officer | Statement read |
| Rhonda Stanger. Paramedic | Statement read |
| Detective Superintendent Andy Slattery. CSI evidence | Statement read |
| Margaret Anderson. Witness to events in Wilton | Statement read |
| Christopher Jackson. Son of Jennifer and James Jackson | Called to give evidence |
| Deborah Lynn Carey. Wife of Jason Carey. Wilton resident | Called to give evidence |
| Jason Carey. Chairman of Solway Sub Aqua Diving Club. Wilton resident | Called to give evidence |
| Richard Wilson. Farmer. Witness to events in Wilton | Statement read |
| Edna Middleton. Witness to events in Wilton | Statement read |
| Colin Jones. Paramedic | Statement read |
| Detective Superintendent Andy Slattery. CSI evidence | Statement read |
Tributes to Jennifer and James Jackson and Isaac Dixon were released by their families. Click here to view the tributes
10 March 2011
The following witnesses appeared in court:
| James Ousby. Witness to events on Coach Road | Statement read |
| Belinda McCourt. Witness to events on Coach Road | Statement read |
| Jane Frost. Witness to events on Coach Road | Statement read |
| Kevin Simon Wright. Paramedic, North West Ambulance Service | Statement read |
| Dr Karen Greene. Treated Terry Kennedy | Statement read |
| Dr Maxford Cortinho. Treated Terry Kennedy | Statement read |
| Claire Summers. Treated Emma Percival | Statement read |
| Dr Ernest Jehangir. Treated Emma Percival | Statement read |
| Detective Superintendent Andy Slattery. CSI evidence | Statement read |
| Jeff Doran. Witness to events on Coach road | Called to give evidence |
| Alison Doran. Witness to events on Coach road | Statement read |
| Linda Bitcon. Taxi driver | Statement read |
| Jacqueline Williamson. Saw Derrick Bird on Ginns to Kells road | Statement read |
| Melinda Hughes. Daughter of Susan Hughes | Called to give evidence |
| Andrew Miller. Cousin of Susan Hughes | Statement read |
| Keith McMean. Friend of Susan Hughes | Statement read |
| David Bell. Witness of events on Hagget End | Called to give evidence |
| Barrie John Moss. Witness of events on Hagget End | Statement read |
| Dr Guy Stuart Bickerton. Pronounced Susan Hughes dead | Statement read |
| Jeanette Ann Henderson. Witness to events on Hagget End | Statement read |
| Mary Hannah Bear. Witness to events on Hagget End | Statement read |
| Audrey Ross. Witness to events on Hagget End | Statement read |
| Stuart David McNee. Witness to events on Hagget End | Statement read |
| Hazel Elizabeth Mawson. Witness to events on Hagget End | Statement read |
| Kenneth Kershaw. Witness to events on Hagget End | Statement read |
| Detective Superintendent Andy Slattery. CSI avidence | Statement read |
| Alan Fishburn. Brother of Kenneth Fishburn | Statement read |
| Trevor Soppitt. Nephew of Kenneth Fishburn | Statement read |
| Ruth Hartley. Witness of events at Bridge End | Called to give evidence |
| Joan Mary Parr. Witness to events at Bridge End | Statement read |
| PC Rachael O'Rourke. Civil Nuclear Constabulary. Witness to events at Bridge End | Statement read |
| Kevin Simon Wright. Paramedic, North West Ambulance Service | Statement read |
| Russell Elliott. Witness to events in Egremont | Statement read |
| Hayley Joanne Watson. Witness to events in Egremont | Statement read |
| Emma Nixon. Witness to events in Egremont | Statement read |
| Davin Dhillon. Heard gunshots in Egremont | Statement read |
| Anna Christine Palmer. In Egremont at time of shootings | Statement read |
| John Simon Palmer. In Egremont at time of shootings | Statement read |
| Detective Superintendent Andy Slattery. Cumbria Constabulary. CSI evidence | Statement read |
| Leslie Hunter. Survivor | Called to give evidence |
| Elizabeth Corrie. Heard gunshots in Egremont | Statement read |
| Gary Leigh Toomey. Heard gunshots in Cringlethwaite | Statement read |
| Anthony Paul Smith. Went to aid of Leslie Hunter | Statement read |
| Gladys Winnifred Warbrick. Drove past bodies in Egremont | Statement read |
| Margaret Kennedy. Heard shots in Egremont. | Statement read |
| Ian Patterson. Witness to events in Egremont | Statement read |
| Claire Summers. Consultant. Treated Leslie Hunter | Statement read |
| Dr Ernest Jehangir. Treated Leslie Hunter | Statement read |
| Detective Superintendent Andy Slattery. CSI evidence | Statement read |
| Ashleigh Glaister (with mother, Phyllis Jane Glaister). Shots fired at her in Thornhill | Called to give evidence |
| Jean Lace. Witness to events in Thornhill | Statement read |
| Darren Powe. Witness to events in Thornhill | Statement read |
| David Joseph Dalton. Witness to events in Thornhill | Statement read |
| Kevin Martin Wild. Bus driver. Saw Derrick Bird's car in Thornhill | Statement read |
| Detective Superintendent Andy Slattery. CSI evidence | Statement read |
A tribute to Susan Hughes was released by her family. Click here to view.
9 March 2011
The West Cumbria Shootings inquests will not sit on Wednesday 9th March as the jury will be driven along the route that Derrick Bird took on the 2nd June 2010.
Interested parties and the media are not invited to attend.
Court will sit as normal again on Thursday 10th March at 10am.
8 March 2011
The following witnesses appeared in court:
| Robert McLaughlin, witness to events in Whitehaven. | Statement read |
| Angela Lorraine Lucas. Taxi driver. Witness to events in Whitehaven. | Statement read |
| Inspector Craig Lory. Local Neighbourhood Policing Inspector. | Called to give evidence |
| Claire Summers. NHS. Treated Paul Wilson. | Statement read |
| Mahesh Dhebar. Consultant orthopaedic. Treated Paul Wilson. | Statement read |
| Graham Putnam. Consultant oral. Treated Paul Wilson. | Statement read |
| Det. Supt Andy Slattery. Cumbria Constabulary. CSI evidence. | Statement read |
| Paul Goodwin. Witness to events in Whitehaven and on Coach Rd. Drove PC Taylor in pursuit of Derrick Bird. | Called to give evidence |
| PC Mick Taylor. Neighbourhood Police Officer. Witness to events in Whitehaven and on Coach Rd. | Called to give evidence |
| Terence Kennedy. Taxi driver. Shooting survivor. | Called to give evidence |
| Emma Percival. Taxi passenger. Shooting survivor. | Statement read |
| PC James Andrew Fitch. Neighbourhood Police Officer. Pursued Derrick Bird in police van from Whitehaven town centre to Coach Rd. | Called to give evidence |
| PC Leesa Edwards. Neighbourhood Police Officer. Pursued Derrick Bird in police van from Whitehaven town centre to Coach Rd. | Called to give evidence |
No tributes were released.
7 March 2011
The following witnesses appeared in court:
| Barbara Tingey, sandwich shop staff member witnessed shooting of Darren Rewcastle | Called to give evidence |
| Joan Margaret King, sandwich shop staff member | Statement read |
| Thomas Duffy, witnessed events in Whitehaven | Statement read |
| James Marshall Routledge, witnessed events in Whitehaven | Statement read |
| Karl Schwab, witnessed events in Whitehaven | Statement read |
| Donald Reid, shootings survivor | Called to give evidence |
| Dr Karen Greene, treated Donald Reid | Statement read |
| Dr Ernest Jehangir, treated Donald Reid | Statement read |
| David Henry Simpson, witnessed events in Whitehaven | Called to give evidence |
| Neville McKeating, North West Ambulance Service paramedic | Statement read |
| Richard Webster, taxi driver | Called to give evidence |
| Claire Coyles, witnessed events in Whitehaven | Statement read |
| Phillip Sydney Coyles, witnessed events in Whitehaven | Statement read |
| Det. Superintendent Andy Slattery, Deputy Senior Investigating Officer | Called to give evidence |
No tributes were released.
4 March 2011
The following witnesses appeared in court:
| Stephen Brew, taxi driver | Called to give evidence |
| Iris Carruthers, saw Derrick Bird's taxi outside Kevin Commons' home | Called to give evidence |
| Malcolm Jackson, saw Derrick Bird's taxi outside Kevin Commons' home | Statement read |
| Mary de Cobos, saw Derrick Bird outside Kevin Commons' home | Statement read |
| Richard Thomas Mathie, saw Derrick Bird outside Kevin Commons' home | Statement read |
| David Tunstall, saw Derrick Bird's taxi in the vicinity | Statement read |
| Gareth Heslop, saw Derrick Bird's taxi in the vicinity | Statement read |
| Paul Lomax, saw Derrick Bird's taxi in the vicinity | Statement read |
| Helen McNeil, friend of Kevin Commons | Called to give evidence |
| Kerrie Evans, friend of Kevin Commons | Called to give evidence |
| Susan Rooney, local resident and witnessed incident outside Kevin Commons' home | Called to give evidence |
| Mary Jennifer Dunn, neighbour of Kevin Commons | Statement read |
| John Joseph Dunn, neighbour of Kevin Commons | Statement read |
| Andrew Benn, associate of David and Derrick Bird | Statement read |
| Kenneth McDonald, neighbour of Derrick Bird | Statement read |
| Kevin Moore, brother in law of Darren Rewcastle | Called to give evidence |
| Elizabeth Scoones, mother of Darren Rewcastle | Statement read |
Tributes to Kevin Commons and Darren Rewcastle were released by family and friends. Click here to view the tributes.
3 March 2011
The following witnesses appeared in court:
| Peter Ellwood, Chartered Accountant | Called to give evidence |
| DC Cath Rogerson, Financial Investigator, Cumbria Constabulary | Called to give evidence |
| Robert Cullen, Landlord of John Paul Jones pub and friend of Derrick Bird | Called to give evidence |
| Pauline Cullen, wife of Robert Cullen | Statement read |
| Peter Leder, taxi driver | Called to give evidence |
| John Matthew McDonald, former taxi driver | Called to give evidence |
| Peter Gifkins, taxi driver | Called to give evidence |
| James Hinde, taxi driver | Statement read |
| Thomas Torrance, garage sales assistant | Statement read |
| Donna Grearson, taxi driver | Statement read |
| Emma Graham, Intelligence analyst with Cumbria Constabulary | Statement read |
| Kevin Hodgson, friend of David Bird | Statement read |
| Timothy Shields, colleague of David Bird | Statement read |
| Jennifer Pattinson, neighbour of David Bird | Statement read (x.2) |
| Rhona Radcliffe, paramedic | Statement read |
| Detective Superintendent Andy Slattery, Deputy Senior Investigating Officer | Called to give evidence |
No tributes were released.
2 March 2011
The following witnesses appeared in court:
| Neil Jacques, Derrick Bird's best friend | Called to give evidence |
| Carol Ann Jacques, wife of Neil Jacques | Called to give evidence |
| Graeme Curnow, friend of Derrick Bird | Called to give evidence |
| Gary Kennett, friend of Derrick Bird | Called to give evidence |
| Alan Forster, friend of Derrick Bird | Statement read |
| Peter McLean, member of Solway Sub-Aqua Diving Club | Called to give evidence |
| James Tyson, friend of Derrick Bird | Statement read |
| Ian Bell, owner of Lakeland Guns | Statement read |
| Peter Hathay Jones, firearms dealer | Statement read |
| Gary Lisle, HMRC | Statement read |
No tributes were released.
1 March 2011
The following witnesses appeared in court:
| Detective Chief Supt Iain Goulding, Senior Investigating Officer | Gave presentation summarising incident |
| Alison Jackson, Firearms Licensing Officer for Cumbria Constabulary | Called to give evidence |
| Brian Bird, brother of David Bird and Derrick Bird | Called to give evidence |
| Graeme Bird, son of Derrick Bird | Called to give evidence |
| Katie Bird, daughter of David Bird | Called to give evidence |
| Linda Mills, ex partner of Derrick Bird | Statement read |
| Rachel Bird, daughter of David Bird | Statement read |
| Susan Bird, former wife of David Bird | Statement read |
| Tracey Stephenson, daughter of David Bird | Statement read |
A tribute and photgraph of David Bird was released by his family. Click here to view the tribute.