A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy was reportedly thrown into a crocodile enclosure at Johnson's of Old Hurst zoo in Huntingdonshire. The zoo owner's wife, Tracey Johnson, bravely jumped into the enclosure to rescue the critically wounded child, according to local sources.
Incident Details
Cambridgeshire Police received reports at approximately 1:24 pm on Thursday of an incident involving a three-year-old boy who ended up in the crocodile enclosure. A 30-year-old man from Norfolk was subsequently detained on suspicion of attempted murder. Detective Inspector Verity McCann stated that the man and the child are not believed to be known to each other.
Rescue and Medical Response
A local resident, speaking anonymously, confirmed that Tracey Johnson entered the enclosure to rescue the youngster. The boy was rushed to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge with severe injuries and remained in a critical but stable condition overnight. The ambulance service dispatched a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance officer vehicle, a standard ambulance, and an air ambulance to the scene.
Police and Community Reaction
Detective Inspector Verity McCann said, "At this stage we are speaking to people who were at the zoo at the time of this distressing incident to understand more about the circumstances. We do not believe the man arrested and the child are known to each other." Officers are supporting the boy's family at the hospital.
In a social media statement, Johnson's announced that Tropical House will remain closed until further notice out of respect to the family. Huntingdon MP Ben Obese-Jecty commented, "I am aware of the incident... 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 speculation online."
Zoo Background
Johnson's of Old Hurst is home to over 100 animals, including lions, tigers, sloth bears, capybaras, and meerkats. The crocodiles are housed in a tropical building within a converted cattle shed. The Johnson family has been dedicated to crocodile care for two decades, with owner Andy Johnson contributing to a European dossier on crocodilian farming.
Local resident Mike Annicelli, 52, described the crocodile enclosure as safe, with a raised platform and fencing approximately 4 feet high. Councillor Charlotte Lowe expressed shock, saying, "I can't fathom how it's happened because they've got all the right protection and safety equipment." Alastair Torrance, deputy chairman of Old Hurst Parish Council, conveyed his sympathies to the family.
