A father is believed to have shot dead his wife and teenage daughter in a small market town - before killing himself.

Lance Hart is understood to have killed his wife Claire, 50, and daughter Charlotte, 19, with a shotgun and then took his own life.

The shootings happened near a pool in Spalding at about 9am on Tuesday. No shots were fired by officers.

Image: Paramedics attended the scene and attempted to save the three injured

Witnesses said swimmers in the pool heard the shootings and a centre manager rushed out to find the injured bleeding on the ground.

Paramedics arrived at Castle Swimming Pool shortly afterwards by air ambulance and fought to save the three injured, but to no avail.


Image: Emergency vehicles at the scene of the tragedy in Spalding

One school - nearby Spalding Grammar - was put in lockdown and the sports centre and pool were closed.

Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident and there are no indications that the matter is terrorist-related.

One local man, who did not want to be identified, said: "From what I understand a man shot himself and his family."

Officers raided a house in Hatt Close, Moulton, Spalding, which one resident in the street claimed was linked to the shooting.

Very serious and busy scene at Castle Sports Complex #Spalding. I'm sure emergency services would appreciate onlookers staying away. — Nigel Chapman (@Voice_Nigel) July 19, 2016

Aerial Sky News helicopter footage from the scene showed police tape surrounding a silver hatch-back car with debris scattered around it.

Next to that a white forensic police tent covered the front of a blue car.

What appeared to be a silver body bag laid on the ground nearby, next to a separate, smaller, forensic tent.

Police Update On Spalding Shooting

An East Midlands Ambulance spokesman said: "Upon arriving at scene, our paramedics treated three patients who had gunshot wounds.

"Despite the best efforts of everyone at the scene the patients were pronounced dead."

Image: Police at the scene of the shootings (Nigel Chapman/Spalding Voice)

Journalist Nigel Chapman told Sky News the pool is in the centre of Spalding and a busy area for cars, pedestrians and cyclists.

Image: Spalding swimming pool

"There was a sound like a bird scarer going off," he said.

"I went down and there were scores of emergency vehicles and the entrances to the pool had been shut.

"We have our suspicions that this may be a murder/suicide at this stage."

Any witnesses are asked to call 101, quoting incident number 92 of 19 July.