A three-year-old boy who was allegedly thrown into a crocodile enclosure at Johnsons of Old Hurst Zoo in Cambridgeshire remains in a stable condition at Addenbrooke's Hospital, according to Cambridgeshire Police. The toddler sustained a broken arm and a fractured pelvis after landing on a concrete walkway and falling into the water. He is expected to undergo a lengthy rehabilitation process.
Incident Details and Rescue
The incident occurred on a family visit to the zoo near Huntingdon. A 30-year-old man from Norfolk, believed to have learning disabilities, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. He was later released on bail until September 18 while detectives continue their enquiries. Police confirmed he was assessed as unfit for interview due to his mental or physical state and was on a trip to the zoo with carers at the time.
Zoo owners Andy and Tracey Johnson described the event as "one of the most distressing incidents" in their history. In a statement on social media, they 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."
They praised the rapid response of staff and visitors: "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." Off-duty paramedics and police officers among the visitors also helped, and the MAGPAS Air Ambulance assisted.
Family Statement and Recovery
The boy's family released a statement expressing gratitude: "We are truly grateful for the public support and well-wishes we have received, as well as to everyone who has been directly involved in our son's care and recovery in hospital." They described his rehabilitation as "extremely challenging." A fundraising page set up to support the family noted: "After undergoing multiple surgeries, his condition is now stable, but he faces a long road to recovery."
Chris Newman, director of the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, commented on the rescue: "Tracey was the first on the scene, but she was then joined by her husband Andy and their youngest son Edward. All three were involved in the rescue. All three were heroes... they're a close-knit family, and they're still quite shaken by it."
Zoo Reopens and Public Support
Johnsons of Old Hurst, which houses over 100 animals including lions, tigers, and meerkats, reopened nine days after the incident out of respect for the family. The owners stated: "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. Thank you for standing with us. Above all, our thoughts remain with the young boy and his family."
Police confirmed that the crocodiles involved were not seized or killed. Experts noted that the reptile refrained from trying to eat the boy, largely due to the quick response of the zoo team.
