A disturbing incident at Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo in Huntingdonshire has left a community reeling after a three-year-old boy was critically injured when he ended up in the crocodile enclosure. The 30-year-old man from Norfolk, who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, has been released by Cambridgeshire Police pending further inquiries.
Emergency services were swiftly called to the scene on Thursday afternoon after reports emerged of the young boy's distressing ordeal. Zoo staff responded quickly and managed to pull him from the enclosure before taking him to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge for urgent medical attention. The police have confirmed that the boy is currently in a critical but stable condition, with specialist officers providing support to his family during this difficult time.
DI Verity McCann has stated that inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident, which remains under investigation. Crucially, it has been established that the arrested man is not known to the victim, adding a layer of complexity to the investigation. In response to the incident, Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo has closed its tropical house as a mark of respect for the boy and his family, while the rest of the site remains operational.
Huntingdonshire district councillor Charlotte Lowe expressed her shock at the incident, highlighting the typically robust safety measures in place at zoos. Ben Obese-Jecty, MP for Huntingdon, has been in communication with senior officers, who are treating this as a critical incident. He has urged the public to refrain from speculative online posts while the investigation is ongoing.
The incident has raised serious questions about safety protocols in animal enclosures and sparked widespread concern within the local community. The major crimes unit will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the boy's injury, with the aim of determining whether any further action is required to prevent similar incidents in the future.