London, England (CNN) -- Police in England said Wednesday they were searching for a man in connection with "a number" of fatal shootings across Cumbria, near the border with Scotland.

Derrick Bird, 52, was believed to have fired shots in three towns near the coast of the Irish Sea on Wednesday, Cumbria police said.

Members of the public were advised to stay indoors until further notice.

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, England, and was traveling on foot.

The area is in the Lake District, which is popular with walkers, hikers, and tourists.

The first shots were fired at 10:35 a.m. (5:35 a.m. ET) in Whitehaven, and further shots were fired in the areas of Seascale and Egremont, police said. A number of people were killed and wounded, they said.

"There are a number of fatalities and police are working to identify the individuals and inform relatives," Cumbria police said. "Ambulance crews are in attendance across the area."

Taxi drivers in the area told CNN that Bird is an independent taxi driver.

Sorce: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/06/02/uk.england.shootings/index.html