The owners of Johnsons of Old Hurst near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, have spoken out for the first time since a three-year-old boy was allegedly thrown into a crocodile enclosure on June 18. Andy and Tracey Johnson described the incident as "one of the most distressing" their family and staff had ever witnessed.
Incident Details
The boy was reportedly flung approximately 15 feet into the crocodile enclosure within the zoo's Tropical House. He suffered a broken arm and fractured pelvis after hitting a concrete pathway before falling into the water. He remains at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge with severe injuries.
In a statement shared on social media, the Johnsons said: "A fortnight ago, our family and team at Johnsons of Old Hurst experienced one of the most distressing incidents in our history. We were alerted to reports that a child had allegedly been thrown into one of our crocodile enclosures in the Tropical House."
Response and Gratitude
The couple praised the rapid response of emergency services, visitors, and staff. "Everyone who was on site that day acted with incredible speed and determination. Within minutes of the first radio call, the child had been rescued from the enclosure and was receiving first aid," they said. The emergency services, including the MAGPAS Air Ambulance, arrived quickly, and the Johnsons thanked them for their professionalism.
They also acknowledged visitors who helped, including off-duty paramedics and police officers, and expressed pride in their own staff for their immediate action.
Community Support and Recovery
The Johnsons noted the overwhelming generosity from the local community and across the nation. "Every message of support, every kind word and every expression of concern has meant a great deal to our family and our team during an incredibly difficult time," they added. They continue to hope for the boy's speedy recovery and asked for privacy for his family.
Cambridgeshire Police confirmed the toddler's condition remains stable, though he faces a lengthy recovery. His family described his rehabilitation as "extremely challenging" and thanked the zoo and public for their help.
Investigation
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and released on bail until September 18. The suspect has no known connection to the victim and was deemed unfit for questioning at the time. The Tropical House reopened on June 27, nine days after the incident, having been closed "out of respect to the family."
