A farmer shot dead in what appears to be his own field has been identified and photographed for the first time. Thomas Olverson, 75, was pronounced dead at the scene after emergency services were called to Pinfold Lane, Scarisbrick, at 4.55pm on Thursday, July 25.
Mr Olverson, of Marsh Hey Farm, was fatally shot. A 29-year-old man from Scarisbrick, who police believe knew the farmer, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody. Lancashire Police have continued to appeal for information from the public today, 27 July, as they investigate the shooting.
Neighbours living near Marsh Hey Farm, on Pinfold Lane, Scarisbrick, where the incident took place, were shocked by the news. A father who has lived on the road for seven years told the ECHO he saw police “coming down the road”, adding: “We didn’t see much except about eight police cars down there last night.”
“They would all stand at the end of the alleys and focus their attention there first before moving on. I never really saw the couple who live there, but I would often see them walking down the street. They would keep to themselves. They are really typical farmers. It’s so sad.”
Detective Inspector Andy Fallows, of Lancashire Police’s investigation team, said in a previous statement: “A man has sadly lost his life as a result of this, and we have a team of dedicated officers working to establish what led to his death.
“We know this news may be worrying for the Scarisbrick community, but we want to reassure everyone that this is being treated as an isolated incident. Both parties are known to each other and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.
“I am therefore now asking you, the public, to contact me if you have any information, if you have seen or heard anything suspicious or if you have any dash cam footage from the Pinfold Lane area of Scarisbrick yesterday between 12pm and 5.30pm.”
Anyone who was in the area of Pinfold Lane between 12pm and 5pm on Thursday and saw or heard anything suspicious, or has dashcam footage, is asked to get in touch by calling 101, quoting log 1030 of 25 July 2024.
