Three weeks after being thrown into a crocodile enclosure at Johnson's of Old Hurst zoo, a three-year-old boy has undergone his sixth surgery and skin grafts, his family revealed. The toddler remains in a stable condition at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, but faces months of recovery due to nerve and tendon damage.
Six surgeries and skin grafts
In a GoFundMe update, the boy's parents said: 'We are still at the hospital and our son had his sixth surgery on Tuesday. The surgery was a success. A week ago, the surgeons had to do a skin graft in two places on his left arm. In this week's surgery they confirmed that the grafts had taken and they were starting to heal.'
The family added that surgeons are 'happy with the way that they are healing.' The boy, who has not been named, suffered a broken arm and pelvis in the attack on June 18. He was rescued by zoo owners Andy and Tracey Johnson and their son Edward, who heroically leapt into the 15-foot-deep enclosure.
Nerve damage and limited movement
Despite the positive progress, the parents noted ongoing challenges: 'Currently he has little movement in three of his left fingers and no movement in his right fingers. We spoke to the surgeons today and his nerves will take months to heal and recover before we are even able to tell what function he truly has.'
The family expressed optimism but acknowledged a long journey ahead. They thanked supporters, including a young girl and her grandmother who sent a superhero costume, saying: 'He really is our little superhero and he has been so brave and resilient the past three weeks.'
Suspect and investigation
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. He has been released on bail until September 18 after being ruled unfit to be interviewed. The suspect reportedly has severe learning difficulties and was being chaperoned by carers when he allegedly threw the boy over a 4-foot barrier into the enclosure.
Fundraiser and hospital probe
A GoFundMe page set up to support the boy's recovery has raised over £62,000. Meanwhile, Addenbrooke's Hospital is under investigation after 40 staff accessed the boy's medical records without apparent authorization. Cambridge University Hospitals has self-referred to the Information Commissioner's Office to determine if the access was legitimate.
