Johnsons of Old Hurst Zoo: Police review CCTV amid investigation after boy allegedly thrown into croc pen

Police are reviewing CCTV footage as part of their investigation into a shocking incident in which a toddler was allegedly thrown into a crocodile enclosure at a UK zoo, leaving him critically injured.

The horrifying scene unfolded 100 kilometres north of London at Johnsons of Old Hurst when a three-year-old boy was allegedly picked up and “thrown” into an animal enclosure by a man not known to him on June 18.

Cambridgeshire Police rushed to the zoo in Huntingdon around 1pm to find he was attacked by at least one crocodile, according to the BBC

Zoo staff removed the child from the crocodile pen and he was given medical treatment at the scene before being rushed to Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

The boy remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital after police said he “sustained serious injuries while in the enclosure”.

Police arrested a 30-year-old British man on suspicion of attempted murder soon after the incident.

The man, reported to have learning disabilities, was released on bail after being deemed unfit for interview by the police.

Police said they believed the man was not known to the child and he was visiting the zoo with carers.

Detectives from Cambridgeshire Police’s Major Crime Unit are examining footage from multiple locations around the zoo as they try to build a complete picture of the events leading up to the incident, UK publication, Express, reports.

On Sunday, The Times reported that assessment of video footage will help officers determine whether further action is needed.

“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.”

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.”