The family of the three-year-old boy injured in a crocodile enclosure has thanked the zoo employees who pulled him to safety, along with the hospital teams treating him, as police say he is now in a stable condition and no longer in critical care.
In a statement issued via Cambridgeshire Police, they said their main priority is his recovery.
The family’s full statement reads, per BBC News:
“We would like to thank the staff at the zoo who rescued our son from the enclosure… our attention remains focused on his recovery and supporting him through this extremely challenging and prolonged period of time.”
They added:
“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.”
Police previously said the child was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge after suffering serious injuries at Johnsons of Old Hurst, a family-run zoo and farm in Cambridgeshire. Officers said the boy was visiting the attraction with his family when the incident happened, and a man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Cambridgeshire Police later said the boy was no longer in critical care and was in a stable condition in hospital. Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances of the incident.
The zoo’s crocodile enclosure has since reopened, although the venue said it had closed the area temporarily out of respect for the family while police carried out their enquiries.
More to follow.