Man arrested after 3-year-old boy thrown into crocodile enclosure at UK zoo; owner's wife rescues him
A 3-year-old boy is in critical but stable condition after a man allegedly threw him into a crocodile enclosure at Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo. The owner's wife, Tracey Johnson, jumped in to rescue him.
The incident
On Thursday afternoon, a 3-year-old boy ended up in the crocodile enclosure at Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. Police were called to reports of a distressing incident. A man had allegedly thrown the child into the water among the crocodiles. The zoo's tropical pavilion was immediately closed.
- A 3-year-old boy ends up in the crocodile enclosure after allegedly being thrown in by a stranger.
- Tracey Johnson, co-owner, jumps into the enclosure and rescues the boy.
- Boy is treated on site, then taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in critical but stable condition.
- A 30-year-old man from Norfolk is arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
- Police release the man on bail until 18 September after assessing him as unfit for interview; zoo closes tropical pavilion.
Heroic rescue
Tracey Johnson (55), co-owner of the zoo, did not hesitate. She jumped into the enclosure and pulled the boy out of the water. Witness Pete Lewis said
A local resident described her as "definitely a hero."I did see the boy being carried out. It appeared that staff or members of the public had gone into the enclosure to rescue him and almost certainly prevented further injury.
The boy's condition
The child suffered serious injuries, including a fractured arm and pelvis, and may have been attacked by at least one crocodile. He received medical treatment at the scene before being taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, where he remains in critical but stable condition.
Suspect released
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk, unknown to the boy, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder on Thursday. Detective Inspector Verity McCann said
On Friday, police released him on bail until 18 September after assessing him as unfit for interview. British media reported that he suffers from mental health problems and had visited the zoo with two carers, and is considered a vulnerable adult.We do not believe the man arrested and the child are known to each other.
Investigation ongoing
Detective Inspector Verity McCann said
The zoo, run by the Johnson family, remains closed until further notice, and forensic teams have been examining the scene.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.
