A boy allegedly thrown into a crocodile enclosure at a zoo in Cambridgeshire was with his mum and a baby at the time, a media report claims. News of the fresh detail comes after the youngster was left in a critical but stable condition in hospital following the incident on Thursday (June 18).
He was seriously injured when he ended up in the enclosure at Johnsons of Old Hurst where Nile and saltwater crocodiles are kept. The boy is understood to have been with his mum, who was also with a baby, according to The Sunday Times. Police have been given CCTV from the zoo to aid their investigation.
A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. He reportedly has learning difficulties and was on a trip with a carer.
Cambridgeshire Police said the arrested man, who is from Norfolk, was “assessed as not being fit for interview”. He has been released on bail until September 18.
Police were called to the zoo at 1.24pm on Thursday by the ambulance service, reporting that the boy, who was not known to the man, had suffered serious injuries.
Cambridgeshire Police said the boy “sustained serious injuries while in the enclosure” and “was pulled out by staff from the zoo”.
Tracey Johnson, 55, the wife of zoo owner, Andrew, 56, reportedly jumped into the enclosure to save the child.
She is said to have passed the boy to her husband who had also leapt into the enclosure to save him.
Visitors said the Johnsons’ 29-year-old son also entered the enclosure to help.
Chris Newman, director of the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, told The Sunday Times no one should underestimate the difference Mrs Johnson made.
He said: “She jumped in and dealt with an awful situation. She was then joined by her husband and son. It was a team effort to assist the child.”
Mr Newman said the Johnsons felt distraught at what had happened and their thoughts were with the boy.