Man arrested after boy ended up in crocodile enclosure at zoo ‘not fit for interview’

A man who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder for allegedly throwing a 3-year-old child into a cage containing crocodiles at the zoo was released on bail.

Cambridgeshire Police said the 30-year-old man, from Norfolk, was deemed unfit for interview by officers and was released on bail while detectives from the major crime unit carried out further inquiries.

A three-year-old boy from Cambridgeshire remains in a critical but stable condition at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

Emergency services were called to Johnson’s of Old Hurst zoo in Huntingdonshire just after 1pm following reports that a three-year-old child was seriously injured after falling into an enclosure.

Police said he was removed from the zoo by staff and received medical treatment at the scene before being taken to the hospital.

Local people told Sun and the Press Association said the zoo owner’s wife, Tracey Johnson, jumped into the enclosure to save the three-year-old child, but the family did not comment on what happened.

Chris Newman, director of the national reptile centre, which houses crocodiles at the zoo and knows Ms Johnson “very well”, told BBC Radio 4’s Today program that Ms Johnson’s actions should be considered “incredibly heroic”.

“Frankly, what I expected from her was not less, she would do exactly that. She is a very brave, very strong woman,” he said. “I don’t know what enclosure it was, but I mean a drop of about 15 ft, so for him to get in and save the kid so quickly, you know… just a remarkable act of bravery.”

Police said the 30-year-old man will be released on bail until September 18.

Det Insp Verity McCann said: “Our inquiries are ongoing as we continue to understand the circumstances surrounding this distressing incident.

“Our thoughts are with the child and his family and specialist officers continue to support them through this difficult time.”

This is breaking news, more to come…