Johnsons of Old Hurst Zoo: Investigation continues after boy allegedly thrown into crocodile pen

A three-year-old boy who was allegedly thrown into a crocodile enclosure at a UK zoo is no longer in a critical condition and is now stable in hospital, police have confirmed.

The child suffered serious injuries after the incident at Johnsons of Old Hurst, near Huntingdon, about 100km north of London, on Thursday afternoon.

Cambridgeshire Police said the boy “sustained serious injuries while in the enclosure” before being pulled to safety by zoo staff and rushed to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

In an update on Monday, police confirmed the boy’s condition had improved and he was “no longer critical” and was “in a stable condition in hospital”.

The incident sparked a major police investigation after officers arrested a 30-year-old man from Norfolk on suspicion of attempted murder.

Police believe the man was not known to the child and was visiting the zoo with carers. The suspect, who reportedly has learning difficulties, was later released on bail after being assessed as unfit for interview.

Detectives are reviewing CCTV footage from around the zoo as they work to establish exactly what happened.

“Our enquiries are ongoing as we continue to understand the circumstances surrounding this distressing incident,” Detective Inspector Verity McCann said.

“Our thoughts remain with the boy, and his family and specialist officers continue to support them through this difficult time.”

Authorities were called to the family-run zoo about 1.30pm after reports a young boy had suffered serious injuries inside the crocodile enclosure.

In the wake of the incident conflicting reports have emerged after a witness told The Sun the boy was injured during the fall and not by a crocodile before Tracey Johnson, wife of the zoo owner, jumped in to rescue him.

“Apparently the boy has a broken pelvis and a broken arm, but thankfully the crocodile didn’t actually get to him,” they said.

“Someone was able to jump in and get him out of the water.

“It could have been so much worse, but he’s obviously got some really serious injuries from the fall.

“None of the injuries were from the crocodiles, thank God.”

The family-run zoo’s Topical House, where the crocodiles are kept, remains closed out of respect for the boy and his family while investigations continue.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the boy and his family following the indecent that occurred today,” the business wrote in a statement on Thursday.

“Out of respect to the family out Tropical House will remain closed until further notice... The rest of the site will remain open as normal.”