Boy, 3, ‘thrown’ into crocodile enclosure at UK zoo

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy fell into a crocodile enclosure at the zoo and was seriously injured.

Detectives from Cambridgeshire Police’s major crime unit are investigating.

They say they do not believe the man and the child knew each other.

Officers were called to Johnsons in Old Hurst, near Huntingdon, at 1.24pm to “reports of an incident in which a three-year-old child remained in the crocodile enclosure”.

Police said the child was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridgeshire with serious injuries and was in a critical but stable condition.

Specially trained police officers are at the hospital to support his family.

A 30-year-old man from Norfolk was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Andy Johnson, who ran the farm when the zoo opened its new reptile house in 2019. He told Cambridgeshire Live: “It’s great that people can look at animals from above without any obstacles. It inspires you because they are there in real life, not like what you see on TV.”

The zoo, which has more than 100 animals, says it offers a variety of family-friendly activities.

The website advertises a 30-minute “crocodile feeding experience” for £80.

Huntingdon MP Ben Obese-Jecty said he was in contact with senior officials regarding the case.

He wrote on social media: “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 online speculation.

“Police will provide an update with further information in due course.

“My thoughts are with the young victim and his family at what is an extremely traumatic and difficult time.”