Zoo describes horror when boy attacked by crocodile
The family that owns the zoo, where a three-year-old child was seriously injured when he fell into the crocodile enclosure, said that this was “one of the saddest events in our history”.
The boy was attacked by at least one crocodile at Johnsons of Old Hurst, near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, on June 18.
The Johnson family, which owns the site, said staff responded to the incident “within minutes of the first radio call” and that the child was rescued and first aid was administered shortly after.
Police arrested a 30-year-old man from Norfolk on suspicion of attempted murder and released him on bail.
The red building with a white roof is the Tropical House, which houses several species of crocodiles. [Ant Saddington/BBC]
In a statement on social media, the Johnson family said: “We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the visitors who came forward to help, including off-duty paramedics and police officers, whose calm and prompt actions made a real difference.”
The Cambridgeshire boy had been visiting the zoo with his family and was seriously injured “in the confined area”, Cambridgeshire Police said in a previous statement.
The Johnson family said they had received “overwhelming” kindness from “the local community and people across the country.”
“We are extremely proud of our staff who intervened without hesitation and did their best to help and support the child until emergency services became involved,” they added.
Chris Newman, director of the National Reptile Welfare Centre, previously told the BBC: Three members of the Johnson family entered the confined space.
Police said they were called to Johnsons of Old Hurst at 13:24 BST. [Sam Read/BBC]
Cambridgeshire Police said they were called to the zoo at 13:34 GMT following the incident.
The boy’s family said on Wednesday: “We would like to thank the zoo staff who rescued our son from the enclosure… our attention is focused on his recovery and supporting him through this extremely challenging and lengthy period.”
Officers said the boy was in a stable condition at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.
Located on a family-run farm in Old Hurst, near Huntingdon, the zoo has more than 100 animals including lions, tigers and meerkats.
First alligators He came to the farm in 2006 and species now include the broad-nosed caiman, Nile crocodiles, and the American crocodile.
The arrested man is believed to have a learning disability and was traveling to the zoo with his keepers.
He is not believed to know the boy.
The man was bailed until September 18 and police said he was “assessed as unfit for interview”.
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