Police are continuing to investigate the full circumstances but have said it appears to have been a tragic accident.

It happened while Mr Rubisch and a friend were hunting rabbits.

Police today issued a statement in response to misleading and inaccurate media reports which indicated he was shot by the friend who stumbled causing his weapon to discharge.

The Shropshire coroner Mr John Ellery sanctioned the following statement to clarify matters following media “speculation and unfounded” comment.

Detective Inspector Mark Bellamy, who issued the statement, said: “At this stage of the investigation, there is no evidence to suggest that another person’s gun was fired. It would appear the victim’s own gun accidentally discharged resulting in the fatal injury.”