Toddler critical after being ‘thrown’ into crocodile pit at zoo and ‘rescued by owner’s wife’ – as man is held for attempted murder of three-year-old

A 3-year-old boy was seriously injured when he was thrown into the crocodile pit at the zoo yesterday.

The traumatized teenager was taken to hospital after being dramatically released from the cage.

Last night, witnesses said the person who saved the little boy was Tracey Johnson, wife of zoo owner Andy Johnson.

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

Police said they do not believe the suspect and the victim knew each other. It was stated that the child’s condition was critical but stable.

The shocking incident occurred in front of horrified visitors at the tropical reptile house at Johnsons of Old Hurst, near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.

The zoo is run by fourth-generation farmer Mr Johnson, his wife and their sons George and Edward.

A zoo spokesman said: ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the boy and his family following today’s incident.’

Police refused to take information about how the boy fell into the confined space 15ft below the walkway or to provide any details about how he was rescued.

It was learned that it was investigated whether the child was attacked by animals before being taken out.

A three-year-old boy was thrown into a crocodile enclosure by a stranger at a zoo in Cambridgeshire yesterday (Image: A crocodile in a cage)

‘Apparently the owner’s wife, Tracey Johnson, jumped into the enclosure to save the child,’ a local said. Sun.

A zoo neighbor, who did not want to give his name, said he heard ‘lots of sirens’ and then the air ambulance arrived.

Mike Annicelli, a 52-year-old father of two who lives close to the zoo, described the crocodile enclosure as follows: ‘Everything is up high, you’re away from the animals.

‘There are some areas with plastic glass so people can look – but there are also 1.2 meter fences around the walkway so it’s impossible for people to accidentally fall in.

‘Because of the way the railings are arranged it would be difficult for a child to walk over them like a small child.’

One villager said he saw zoo staff hugging each other and some burst into tears after the incident.

Local councilor Charlotte Lowe, 52, said: ‘I can’t understand how this happened. The zoo has all kinds of protection, including plexiglass curtains.

‘The only place people can enter the enclosure is through walkways surrounded by chest-high fencing.

‘I don’t understand how a child could get in by accident.’

Two police cars were parked outside the zoo entrance last night, with a uniformed police officer standing guard at the main gate just yards from Mr and Mrs Johnson’s farmhouse.

Johnson, 56, became fascinated with alligators during a trip to Florida and adopted several from a private collector.

Johnsons of Old Hurst is a family-run zoo with a farm shop, tearoom and steakhouse

Aerial view of the zoo in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, as police descend after yesterday’s incident

The site is said to currently have a collection of around 50 crocodiles and crocodiles, mostly used as an environmentally friendly way of getting rid of dead animals.

The zoo’s website says the barn-turned-tropical house is home to the American alligator, broad-nosed caiman, Cuvier pygmy caiman, Morelet’s crocodile, Nile crocodile, saltwater crocodile, Siamese crocodile, spectacled caiman and West African pygmy crocodile. The largest of these species is the saltwater crocodile, found between India and Australia, and can grow up to 20 ft long and weigh up to 3,300 lb; That’s half the weight of a large SUV.

About half of the planet’s 23 crocodile species are considered dangerous to humans; The Nile crocodile and saltwater crocodile are responsible for the vast majority of human deaths.

On Wednesday, the zoo celebrated International Crocodile Day with a post shared on social media by one of its residents.

The headline read: ‘Alligators are at the heart of our history, our passion, and the journey that has made Johnson Zoological Gardens what it is today.

‘These incredible animals have inspired generations of our family and continue to fascinate visitors from all over the country.’

The zoo’s website states that “conservation efforts have led our family to take a special interest in crocodiles.”

He adds: ‘We’ve been caring for and caring for these animals for the last twenty years, including Andy. [Johnson] Participate in the creation of a European published dossier on the breeding, welfare and breeding of crocodiles.

‘crocodile farm [farming]has been successful in restoring the conservation status of many crocodile species.’

A statement from the zoo added: ‘Out of respect for the family, our Tropical House will remain closed until further notice.’

File image of visitors at Johnsons of Old Hurst in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire

A spokesman for Cambridgeshire Constabulary said: ‘Officers were called to the zoo at 1.24pm to a report of an incident which resulted in a three-year-old child falling into the crocodile enclosure.

‘The child was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital [in Cambridge] He has serious injuries and is in critical but stable condition. Officers are at the hospital to support the child’s family. ‘A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.’

Detective Inspector Verity McCann, of the force’s major crime unit, said: ‘At this stage we are speaking to people who were at the zoo at the time of this distressing incident to better understand the circumstances. ‘We do not believe that the arrested man and the child knew each other.’

A Huntingdonshire District Council spokesman said: ‘We are aware of the serious incident that occurred at Johnson’s of Old Hurst today.

‘Our thoughts are with the young boy and his family at this difficult time.

‘We work closely with our partners, including Cambridgeshire Police.

‘We urge people not to speculate about the circumstances surrounding this incident while investigations are ongoing.’

The incident carries chilling echoes of a 2019 incident at London’s Tate Modern where a six-year-old French tourist was thrown from an outdoor viewing platform. He somehow survived the 100ft fall but suffered life-changing injuries.

Disturbed teenager Jonty Bravery was jailed for at least 15 years in 2020 for attempted murder.

He is being held at Broadmoor, a high-security psychiatric hospital in Berkshire.