Boy, 3, ‘thrown into crocodile enclosure’ at UK zoo as 30-year-old man arrested
Police were called to the Johnsons Zoo in near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, after reports a three-year-old child had been thrown into the crocodile enclosure. A man has been arrested

A three-year-old boy who was “thrown into a crocodile enclosure” at a zoo has been rushed to hospital. A 30-year-old man has now been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder

Police were called to Johnsons of Old Hurst at 1.24pm to reports of an incident involving a three-year-old boy. Officers said he ended up in the crocodile enclosure. The Johnsons Zoo in near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, is a popular family attraction.

The young boy was rushed to hospital. He is said to be in a critical but stable condition. Det Insp Verity McCann, from Cambridgeshire Police, 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 hospital, and our thoughts remain with them.”

A force spokesperson said: “The boy has been taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital (in Cambridge) with serious injuries and is critical but stable. Specially-trained officers are at the hospital supporting the boy’s family.

“A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.”

Johnsons of Old Hurst is a family-owned zoo, farm shop, tea room and steakhouse. On its website, it describes itself as “a working farm and zoo with tropical gardens located in the heart of the countryside”.

Ben Obese-Jecty, the MP for Huntingdon, said: “I am aware of the incident at Johnson’s of Old Hurst 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.

“The police will provide an update with further information in due course.

“My thoughts are with the young victim and his family during a hugely traumatic and difficult time.”

Mike Annicelli, 52, who lives close to the zoo, said he had previously visited the attraction and had felt safe. Describing the crocodile enclosure, he said: “Everything is elevated, you’re far away from the animals.”

He said there was a “raised platform” and estimated the crocodiles were about 15ft below and that there was fencing along walkways which he estimated was around 4ft high.

Local councillor Charlotte Lowe said she “can’t fathom” how the boy ended up in the crocodile enclosure.

Speaking outside the attraction on Thursday evening, the Huntingdonshire District Council councillor for Warboys ward said: “I can’t fathom how it’s happened because they’ve got all the right protection and safety equipment, for want of a better word, in there.”