More than £100,000 has been raised for a three-year-old boy who was left seriously injured after he was allegedly thrown into a crocodile enclosure at Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo, near Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, on June 18.
Boy's Injuries and Surgeries
The child, who has not been named, has since undergone seven surgeries, including a nerve graft on his left arm, his family said. Medics treating the youngster were also faced with blood vessel damage, broken bones and severe tissue damage in his arms, neck, head and face.
Incident and Rescue
The zoo said in a social media post that it was "alerted to reports that a child had allegedly been thrown into one of our crocodile enclosures." Staff at the zoo, including owners Andy and Tracey Johnson and their son Edward, heroically leapt into the enclosure to rescue the boy.
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following the incident and was later bailed as police said he was "assessed as not being fit for interview." The suspect reportedly has learning difficulties and had been on a trip with carers when he allegedly threw the boy over a 4ft barrier into the 15ft deep enclosure. An investigation has been launched into the man's care.
Fundraiser and Family Update
A GoFundMe page launched on June 30 to support the boy's "recovery and rehabilitation in the upcoming months and years ahead" has now surpassed £100,000 in donations, including a top contribution of £2,500 from someone anonymous.
Earlier this month, the boy's family said they were "amazed at how far he has come" as their "cheeky little boy" is now talking to the nurses and smiling again. They said they are "not at the end of our journey" but "hopeful" the most recent operation "will be the last for now which means if everything goes well we will be able to go home soon."
The page adds: "Once home, we face new challenges shaped by his recovery and rehabilitation physically and psychologically. Both of us are taking time off work temporarily to support our son during his rehabilitation. We don't know what recovery and rehabilitation looks like at this moment in time but we know our son needs us more than ever." "We are forever grateful that you have all helped us to stay by our son's side every step of the way."
Hospital Investigation
Addenbrookes Hospital, where the boy is being treated, is reportedly being probed after his medical records were accessed by 40 staff. Cambridge University Hospitals has referred itself to the Information Commissioner's Office and is investigating whether they had a legitimate reason to view his records.
