Man arrested after boy injured in zoo crocodile enclosure

A serious incident occurred at Johnsons Zoo in Old Hurst, near Huntingdon, where a three-year-old boy sustained critical injuries after ending up inside a crocodile enclosure. Authorities confirmed that Cambridgeshire Police responded to the scene at 13:24 BST and immediately began their investigation. The child was swiftly transported to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, where he remains in a critical but stable condition.

Following the event, a 30-year-old man from Norfolk was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Police stated that they do not believe there was any prior connection between the man and the child. Officers are currently looking into whether the boy suffered injuries as a result of an attack by the crocodiles in the enclosure.

Detective Inspector Verity McCann of Cambridgeshire Police commented, “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.” Meanwhile, Huntingdon MP Ben Obese-Jecty expressed his sympathy on social media, urging the public to avoid speculation and confirming he is working with senior officers managing the case as a critical incident.

Darryl Preston, the police and crime commissioner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, shared that he has been briefed by Chief Constable Simon Megicks and extended his condolences to the boy’s family, acknowledging the profound trauma the situation has caused. Johnsons Zoo, which advertises itself as home to over 100 animals including crocodiles, African lions, and a Bengal tiger, saw emergency services quickly respond to the scene. The East of England Ambulance Service dispatched multiple vehicles and the Magpas Air Ambulance critical care team, which treated the child onsite before transporting him to hospital for further care

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