The wife of a zoo owner reportedly leapt into a crocodile enclosure to rescue a three-year-old boy who was allegedly thrown in by a member of the public. Cambridgeshire Police received a call at 1:24 PM on Thursday to Johnson's of Old Hurst in Huntingdonshire. The young boy sustained serious injuries and was transported to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, where his condition is described as critical but stable.
Witness Account
A local resident told The Sun that there was an organized outing at the time of the incident. The zoo owner's wife, Tracey Johnson, jumped into the enclosure to save the child. The crocodiles are housed inside a tropical house, which is a converted cattle shed.
Arrest Made
Police have arrested a 30-year-old man from Norfolk on suspicion of attempted murder. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are treating the incident as a critical event.
Zoo Response
In a statement on social media, Johnson's Zoo expressed that out of respect for the family, the Tropical House will remain closed until further notice. They added, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the boy and his family following the incident that occurred today."
Emergency Services
An ambulance, a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance officer vehicle, and an air ambulance were dispatched to the scene. A uniformed police officer was stationed at the entrance on Thursday evening, with a marked police car in the car park.
Zoo Background
The zoo is located off a leafy rural lane in the village of Old Hurst and features a tea room, farm shop, and steakhouse. Owner Andy Johnson cares for over 100 animals, including lions, tigers, sloth bears, capybaras, and meerkats. The Johnson family has been involved with crocodiles for the past two decades. Andy Johnson helped compile a dossier on the farming, welfare, and husbandry of crocodilians, according to the zoo's website.
Local Reactions
Mike Annicelli, 52, a nearby resident who has visited the zoo, said he felt safe there. Describing the crocodile enclosure, he noted that everything is elevated, with a raised platform and fencing about 4 feet high. The crocodiles were approximately 15 feet below. Local councillor Charlotte Lowe expressed shock, stating she cannot fathom how the boy ended up in the enclosure given the safety measures in place. Ben Obese-Jecty, the MP for Huntingdon, said he is aware of the incident and has been liaising with senior officers at Gold Command. He urged the public to refrain from speculation online and offered his thoughts to the victim and family.
