Six-year-old boy 'shot dead with pellet gun' in east Yorkshire

Stanley Metcalf sustained serious injuries and was rushed to hospital, where he died

Family handout photo issued by Humberside Police of Stanley Metcalf (PA)

A six-year-old boy has died from what is believed to be a pellet gun injury.

Stanley Metcalf was found fatally injured on Thursday afternoon on Church Lane in Sproatley, east Yorkshire, where he was visiting relatives.

He later died at Hull Royal Infirmary, Humberside police said.

On Friday afternoon police cars could be seen outside the property where the boy was taken ill.

One nearby resident, who did not want to be identified, described the news as “surreal”.

He said: “I knew the lad’s dad pretty well. He had invited me in for a drink just the other day and was always very friendly.

“They are a very nice, genuine family, so your heart just goes out to them because this is such a tragedy, especially given how young the kid is.”

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Goulding said: “Initial indication is this is a pellet gun injury but still we’re investigating the circumstances and the investigation is at an early stage.

“Our thoughts are with his family, who are being supported by specialist officers and we request that they are given privacy at this very difficult time.”

Ministers have said they are keeping an “open mind” on whether to introduce regulations on air guns following a number of deaths caused by the weapons.

Humberside police did not disclose the type of pellet gun they suspect was involved in the incident.

Press Association contributed to this report