THREE men have been arrested on suspicion of gross-negligence manslaughter after an organised shoot ended in tragedy in Roeburndale in the Forest of Bowland.

Police were called around 4.25pm on Tuesday, January 18 following a report of a serious incident on a farm when a Polaris Ranger vehicle pulling a trailer fell into a river when a wooden bridge, supported by scaffolding, collapsed.

Eleven people were in the ranger vehicle and trailer at the time of the incident.

Brian Harwood, 73, from Penrith, died at the scene while two other men in their 60s and 70s suffered serious head and spine injuries and are being treated at Lancaster and Preston hospitals.

A 55-year-old man from Preston, a 57-year-old man from Lancaster and a 52-year-old man from Lancaster have been arrested on suspicion of gross-negligence manslaughter.

They have been released from police custody but remain under investigation.

Det Insp Mark Dickinson, of Lancashire Police’s Force Major Investigation Team, said: “This investigation remains in its early stages and we are conducting a number of enquiries to establish exactly what has happened, including whether any criminal offences were committed.

“Three men have been arrested and are assisting police with our enquiries. They have now been released, but remain under investigation.

“We are supporting the families of those involved and working with partners, including the Health and Safety Executive, to establish what caused the bridge to collapse.

“Our thoughts remain with Mr Harwood’s loved ones and everyone affected by this tragic incident.”