London, England (CNN) — At least five people have been killed and dozens injured after a taxi driver went on a shooting spree through three small towns in the English country of Cumbria Wednesday.

Police said at least 25 people were injured in the attack which started at 10:35 a.m. (5.35 a.m. ET) in Whitehaven, a quaint Georgian town which was once the center of the UK’s rum trade.

After a large scale search, Cumbria police found the body of the suspected gunman, 52-year-old Derrick Bird, in a wooded area of Boot, a village in the Lake District, a popular tourist area.

In his first parliamentary question time since becoming British prime minister, David Cameron said the government would do whatever it could to help the communities affected.

“When lives and communities are suddenly shattered in this way, our thoughts should be with all those caught up in these tragic events, especially the families and friends of those killed or injured,” he said.

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Armed police patrols and dog squads were dispatched in the hunt for the gunman after the first shots were fired at 10:35 a.m. (5:35 a.m. ET) in Whitehaven.

Police issued a photo of the suspected shooter, Derrick Bird, and urged members of the public to stay indoors until further notice.

More shots were fired in the small towns of Seascale and Egremont, as officers attempted to track the suspect on land and by air and ambulance crews attended the victims.

“Police are working to identify the individuals and inform relatives,” Cumbria police said. “Ambulance crews are in attendance across the area.”
Peter Leder, who says he is a friend of Bird’s, told CNN he spoke to Bird last night and Bird told him, “You won’t see me again.”

Bird was initially driving a dark gray or silver Citroen Picasso, but police later said he had abandoned his car in the area of Boot, in the Lake District, and was traveling on foot.

The Lake District is a scenic rural retreat in northern England which is popular with walkers, hikers and tourists.

Leder said Bird has been an independent taxi driver in Whitehaven for more than 20 years and described him as “an outgoing, well-known guy, who everyone liked.”

John Bevir, a reporter for CNN affiliate ITV, described Whitehaven as a sleepy seaside town. “Things like this just don’t happen here,” he said. “Well, they didn’t, until this morning.”

Bird was divorced several years ago and has two children, both boys, who have moved away from home, he said. Bird is very close to his mother, who is very ill in a local nursing home, Leder said.

He said his friend enjoyed scuba diving, went on several diving trips abroad and practised regularly at the Whitehaven swimming baths.

The Citroen Picasso police said Bird was driving at the time of the shootings was his regular taxi cab, Leder said.

After the discovery of his body, police issued another statement urging any witnesses to come forward.

“Our focus is now on the movements of Mr Bird this morning and we are asking for any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward and help us with our investigation,” they said.

A police hotline was set up for concerned relatives of those involved.