Police are reviewing footage and speaking to witnesses after a three-year-old boy was allegedly thrown into a crocodile enclosure at a UK zoo and left with serious injuries.
The incident happened on June 18 at Johnsons of Old Hurst in Cambridgeshire. Police said officers were called shortly after 1.24pm to reports involving a three-year-old boy who ended up in the crocodile enclosure, and investigators are still working to establish exactly what happened.
Cambridgeshire Police said the child suffered serious injuries and was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, where he was initially described as being in a critical but stable condition. On June 19, police said his condition had improved and he was stable.
Cambridgeshire Police also said a 30-year-old man from Norfolk was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. The man was later released on bail until September 18 after being assessed as unfit for police interview.
Police said they do not believe the man and the child were known to one another.
Johnsons of Old Hurst said its Tropical House, which houses crocodiles and other reptiles, would remain closed until further notice out of respect for the boy and his family.
Zoo workers pulled the boy from the enclosure after he sustained serious injuries, before he was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
The suspect is alleged to have been visiting the zoo on a day out with carers.
Detective Inspector Verity McCann said:
“Our inquiries are ongoing as we continue to understand the circumstances surrounding this distressing incident.
“Our thoughts remain with the boy, and his family and specialist officers continue to support them through this difficult time.”
Paul Bristow, the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, also addressed the incident and urged the public not to speculate online.
He said:
“I have spoken with senior police figures following the incident at Johnson’s of Old Hurst. It is being treated as a critical incident.”
“This is a live police investigation – I would ask that people refrain from speculation online. The police will provide an update in due course,” Bristow continued.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the young victim and his family.”
The Sun reported that zoo owner’s wife Tracey Johnson ‘jumped into the enclosure to save the child’.
Speaking on BBC Four’s Today programme, a friend of Johnson said:
“Frankly it’s nothing short [of what] I would expect of her, that’s exactly what she would do. She’s a very brave, very strong lady.
“I don’t know which enclosure it was, but I mean it’s about a 15 ft drop, so for her to get into their that quickly and save the child is, you know… just a remarkable act of bravery.”