Overview
- On Thursday a three-year-old boy ended up in the crocodile enclosure at Johnsons of Old Hurst and was pulled out by staff before being taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital with serious injuries; he remains critical but stable.
- A 30-year-old man from Norfolk was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, was assessed as not fit for interview and has been released on bail until 18 September.
- Detectives from Cambridgeshire Police’s Major Crime Unit are leading enquiries and specially trained officers are supporting the child’s family at the hospital.
- Staff rescued the boy at the scene and local reports say the zoo owner’s wife entered the enclosure to help; the zoo has closed its Tropical House out of respect while the rest of the site remains open.
- Johnsons of Old Hurst is a long‑running family farm and zoo that keeps crocodiles in a converted cattle shed, and the police appeal for no public speculation as the probe could prompt safety reviews and wider scrutiny of zoo visitor procedures.