A 30-year-old man has been arrested after a three-year-old boy ended up in a crocodile enclosure at a zoo in Cambridgeshire, sparking a major police investigation.
Incident at Johnson's of Old Hurst
Officers were called to Johnson's of Old Hurst, in Huntingdonshire, on Thursday following reports of a child in the crocodile enclosure. The three-year-old boy was rushed to hospital with serious injuries and is said to be in a critical but stable condition.
A 30-year-old man, from Norfolk, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, Cambridgeshire Police confirmed.
Police Statement
“The boy has been taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital (in Cambridge) with serious injuries and is critical but stable,” a force spokesperson said. “Specially-trained officers are at the hospital supporting the boy's family. A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.”
Detective Inspector Verity McCann added: “At this stage we are speaking to people who were at the zoo at the time of this distressing incident to understand more about the circumstances. We do not believe the man arrested and the child are known to each other. Officers are supporting the boy's family at hospital and our thoughts remain with them.”
Local MP Reacts
Ben Obese-Jecty, the MP for Huntingdon, said he was “liaising with senior officers” following the shocking incident. On social media he wrote: “I am aware of the incident at Johnson's of Old Hurst and have been liaising with senior officers at Gold Command who are treating this as a critical incident. This is now a live criminal investigation and I would ask people to refrain from speculation online. The police will provide an update with further information in due course. My thoughts are with the young victim and his family during a hugely traumatic and difficult time.”
The investigation is ongoing, and police have urged anyone with information to come forward.
