Crossbow shooting that left pensioner, 74, fighting for life missed his heart by millimetres
A PENSIONER was left fighting for his life after a crossbow bolt fired at him as he fixed a satellite dish missed his heart by “millimetres”. Gerald Corrigan, 74, remains in a critical condition after the bolt passed clean through his right arm and chest on Friday. He had been fixing a satellite dish at […]
A PENSIONER was left fighting for his life after a crossbow bolt fired at him as he fixed a satellite dish missed his heart by “millimetres”.
Gerald Corrigan, 74, remains in a critical condition after the bolt passed clean through his right arm and chest on Friday.
He had been fixing a satellite dish at his remote farm in Holyhead, North Wales, when he was shot by suspected hunters.
Gerald managed to stagger inside after the attack at 12.30am to call 999 but suffered “horrendous, life-changing injuries”.
Blood could still be seen coating the door handle and on the doorstep where the attack unfolded.
Locals fear he may have been shot on his secluded farm after disturbing rogue night-time hunters known as “lampers” who stalk animals using high-power torches.
Detective Chief Inspector Brian Kearney, leading the police investigation, told The Sun Online: “We do know the bolt fired from the crossbow passed through his upper body and right arm.
“It missed his heart by millimetres.”
‘NO MOTIVE OR ENEMIES’
DCI Kearney said the victim’s partner and two children are at his bedside at the Royal Stoke University Hospital where he had undergone one operation and is awaiting a second.
He said he has a team of more than 30 officers and staff involved in the investigation and a major incident room has been set up at nearby Llangefni.
The officer added: “This is such an unusual crime.
“Mr Corrigan has no enemies and he and his partner live a quiet life. They keep themselves to themselves and he enjoys birdwatching and fishing.
“In 22 years serving this area as a police officer I have never before come across an incident like this.
There appears to be no motive, such as burglary, and although we have leads, nothing is jumping out at this stage.”
HUNT FOR SHOOTER
Cops have managed to find the bolt after it ripped through Gerald but haven’t managed to locate the weapon.
They are now asking for anyone who sells crossbows or knows of someone who owns the weapon to come forward.
DCI Kearney added: “This is an impartial search for the truth and I have no doubt that any person who discharged such a weapon accidentally at a human being would be significantly traumatised.
“Our community and the victim’s family want you to come forward of your own free will and do the decent thing to help them understand what happened.
“I would also appeal to any member of the public who knows of anyone who owns a crossbow and was on the Isle of Anglesey on the April 18 and 19 to come forward. This includes anyone who was visiting Anglesey at this time.”
Gerald is understood to have lived at the farm with disabled wife Elizabeth, 64, for 30 years.
FAMILY’S PLEA
He used to work as a lecturer in photography and video in Lancashire before retiring to the island.
His devastated family released a statement urging those responsible to come forward.
They said: “This is a horrific incident that has happened to our family.
“We cannot think of anybody who may have wanted to hurt our father and dear partner. We are trying to come to terms with this shocking incident.
“If anybody has any information at all about what has happened, however small, please come forward to the police.
“We would like to pay tribute to the ambulance service and medical staff for the incredible work they have done.
“We remain hopeful and request privacy at this difficult time.”
