A three-year-old boy, allegedly thrown into a crocodile enclosure at a zoo last month, has undergone five operations with at least two more required, his distraught family have revealed.
The toddler plunged 15ft before being mauled by a crocodile at Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, on June 18. The youngster, whose identity has been withheld, was rescued and rushed to Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, in a critical condition. While now stable, he faces a lengthy and challenging recovery ahead.
Family's Statement and Fundraising
In a statement accompanying a GoFundMe fundraising campaign, his devastated family revealed they have been "living at the hospital" throughout the past fortnight, during which their son has undergone five procedures. At least two further operations are required, including nerve reconstruction in his arm, according to the statement.
It said: "We are extremely grateful for everyone's generosity. We could never thank you enough for the support you have given our family in this horrible time." The statement continued: "We have been living at the hospital for 2 weeks now and our son has undergone 5 surgeries. At this moment in time we know that our son is to undergo at least two more surgeries, one of those surgeries being a nerve reconstruction in his arm."
"These last two weeks have been a very uncertain and unsettling time. This uncertainty remains as we still don't know the extent of his feeling, movement and function in both of his arms, wrists and hands. This will only be identified after casts and bandages are able to be removed and he can begin his rehabilitation journey. His rehabilitation journey is uncertain but we do know that it won't be a short process."
Incident Details
According to reports, the boy fell onto a concrete walkway, sustaining a broken arm and pelvis, before landing in the water. It is understood he was subsequently attacked by either a saltwater or Nile crocodile in what the zoo's proprietors have described as "one of the most distressing" incidents in their history. Cambridgeshire Police confirmed the boy "was pulled out by staff from the zoo", with co-owner Tracey Johnson reportedly leaping into the enclosure to rescue the child.
Officers arrested a 30-year-old man from Norfolk on suspicion of attempted murder shortly after the harrowing event, but he was subsequently released on bail after being "assessed as being not fit for interview". The man is believed to have learning difficulties and was visiting with carers.
Zoo Owners' Response
Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo's proprietors, Andy and Tracey Johnson, broke their silence on the terrifying ordeal this week, expressing their gratitude to staff, emergency services and courageous visitors for their prompt response in saving the boy. "Everyone who was on site that day acted with incredible speed and determination. Within minutes of the first radio call, the child had been rescued from the enclosure and was receiving first aid," they said in a statement. "The emergency services arrived very quickly, supported by the MAGPAS Air Ambulance, and we cannot thank them enough for their professionalism, compassion and dedication in such difficult circumstances."
The Johnsons continued: "We are immensely proud of our own staff, who responded without hesitation and did everything they could to help and support the child until the emergency services took over. The kindness we have received from our local community and from people across the country has been overwhelming. Every message of support, every kind word and every expression of concern has meant a great deal to our family and our team during an incredibly difficult time. Thank you for standing with us. Above all, our thoughts remain with the young boy and his family. We continue to hope and pray for his speedy recovery and ask that they are given the privacy, compassion and support they need at this time."
Cambridgeshire Police were called to the zoo at 1.24pm on June 18. The GoFundMe page had raised in excess of £25,000 at the time of writing.
