Man Arrested After Three-Year-Old Boy Critically Injured in Zoo Crocodile Enclosure

A three-year-old boy remains in critical but stable condition after being found in a crocodile enclosure at Johnsons of Old Hurst Zoo near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, on Thursday afternoon. Cambridgeshire Police received a call at 1:24 p.m. BST reporting an incident involving the child, who was then transported to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge with serious injuries. The boy reportedly has a broken pelvis and broken arm, though police have not officially confirmed the nature of the injuries or whether they were inflicted by the animals.

A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Police have confirmed the man and child do not appear to know each other, and detectives from the major crime unit are investigating the circumstances of the incident. The Times reported that the child was allegedly thrown into the enclosure. Eyewitness accounts suggest zoo staff and members of the public quickly responded to rescue the boy, potentially preventing further injury. Zoo owner Andy Johnson confirmed that his wife, Tracey Johnson, jumped into the enclosure to help the youngster.

The incident prompted a swift emergency response, with an ambulance, rapid response vehicle, ambulance officer vehicle, and Magpas Air Ambulance attending the scene. A critical care team arrived at 1:42 p.m. and treated the patient at the scene before transport to hospital. Johnsons of Old Hurst, a family-run business approximately 20 miles northwest of Cambridge, houses over 100 animals including crocodiles, African lions, and Bengal tigers. The zoo's two largest crocodiles are named Romeo and Cuddles.

The zoo temporarily closed its Tropical House, where the crocodile enclosure is located, out of respect for the family, though the remainder of the site remains open. The enclosure featured safety measures including Perspex glass and secure metal-fenced elevated walkways overlooking pools of water surrounded by tropical vegetation. Huntingdon MP Ben Obese-Jecty described the incident as a critical one being treated as a live criminal investigation and urged the public to refrain from online speculation. Local councillor Charlotte Lowe expressed bewilderment at how the boy accessed the enclosure, noting the zoo had appropriate safety equipment and protection measures in place.

Detective Inspector Verity McCann stated that police are speaking to people who were at the zoo at the time to understand the circumstances fully. Police are investigating whether the child was attacked by the animals. Specialist officers have been deployed to support the boy's family at the hospital. The incident shocked the rural community, with local representatives expressing sympathy for the family during what they described as a traumatic time.