Hundreds brave rain to remember Cumbria shooting spree victims

More than 400 people braved the rain yesterday to remember those that died in Derrick Bird's shooting spree across west Cumbria.

An open air service took place at Seascale where taxi driver Bird killed Michael Pike, 64, Jane Robinson, 66, and Jamie Clark, 23. In nearby Gosforth he blasted Garry Purdham, 31.

People of all faiths wore waterproof jackets and huddled under umbrellas to listen to the hour-long service, which was led by Richard Teal, chair of the Cumbria Methodist District.

Accompanied by a choir, worshippers sang the hymns Be Still For The Presence Of The Lord, The Lord's My Shepherd and Amazing Grace.

They also recited Psalm 121 and held a minute's silence for those that died in Wednesday's tragedy.

At the end people also laid flowers and left donations for the local air ambulance service.

Speaking after the service, Rev Philip Peacock, the minister at Seascale Methodist Church, said: "We wanted to be outside so that the service was accessible to everyone - irrespective of the weather - and we did not want to be locked away in a church.

"We chose here particularly because this road (Drigg Road) was where so much tragedy happened."

The other victims were Bird's twin brother David, 52, Kevin Commons, 60, Kenneth Fishburn, 71, Susan Hughes, 57, James Jackson, 67, Jennifer Jackson, 68, and Isaac Dixon, 65.

Teacher Jill Hudson, who lives in the nearby village of Drigg, runs a local choir which sang at the service.

She saw two of the shootings and comforted one victim who had been shot in the head until medical help arrived.

Mrs Hudson, who was friends with victim Jane Robinson, saw a man lying on the floor in Egremont surrounded by people, but thought he had had a heart attack.

On her way home she came across Jackie Lewis, an elderly lady who lives in Drigg, lying in the road.

She said: "I had heard about the gunman by this point. There was nothing we could do apart from make sure she was comfortable until the ambulance arrived.

"It was worrying to think the gunman might still be out there but you can't just drive past."

The ambulance she called never arrived, so a passing police car took the victim to Seascale surgery for treatment, before she was moved to Newcastle Infirmary.

Ms Lewis has since had surgery to remove the bullet from her brain, and is in a stable condition.

"I find that singing is one way of dealing with things and coping, I actually find it helps.