A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy was left with critical injuries when he ended up in a zoo’s crocodile enclosure. The shocking incident unfolded at Johnsons of Old Hurst, located near Huntingdon, at precisely 13:24 BST. Emergency services rushed to the scene, and the boy was promptly taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, where he remains in a critical but stable condition, according to Cambridgeshire Police. It’s reported that a 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been taken into custody, and police believe that there was no prior connection between the man and the child. They’re currently investigating whether the boy was attacked by the crocodiles within the enclosure.
A spokesperson for Johnsons of Old Hurst expressed their heartfelt thoughts and prayers for the boy and his family, stating, “Out of respect to the family, our Tropical House will remain closed until further notice.” They added that any inquiries regarding the incident should be directed to Cambridgeshire Police Constabulary, while the remainder of the site will operate as usual. Detective Inspector Verity McCann from Cambridgeshire Police said, “At this stage, we are speaking to people who were at the zoo during this distressing incident to gather more information about what happened.”
In a social media post, Huntingdon MP Ben Obese-Jecty shared his concern, stating that his “thoughts were with the young victim and his family during this hugely traumatic and difficult time.” He also urged the public to “refrain from speculation online” and mentioned he was in communication with senior officers treating the incident as critical. Darryl Preston, police and crime commissioner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, expressed his sorrow, adding, “My thoughts go out to the family of the little boy involved in this truly horrific incident.”
Witnesses reported a flurry of sirens and the arrival of an air ambulance, which further heightened the shock of the situation. Mike Annicelli, who lives nearby and has visited the zoo, described the enclosure’s setup, mentioning a “raised platform” with crocodiles estimated to be about 15 feet below. He noted that there were fences along the walkways, which were around 4 feet high. According to the zoo’s website, Johnsons of Old Hurst is a family-run business featuring a butcher, a farm shop, tea room, steakhouse, and zoo, housing over 100 animals, including crocodiles, African lions, and a Bengal tiger.
Charlotte Lowe, a council representative for Old Hurst, expressed her disbelief at the incident, saying, “To have something like this happen here is just incredible. You don’t expect this in a rural village.” She emphasized that the enclosure had safety measures in place, including Perspex glass and secure walkways, and acknowledged the zoo’s popularity among visitors from across the country. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the young boy suffering in this,” she added.
As the investigation continues, Cambridgeshire Police are examining the vehicle involved and gathering further evidence. The community is left grappling with the aftermath of this shocking event. What’s next for the zoo and the families affected remains to be seen…
Kaynak: Orijinal Haber