A three-year-old boy is in critical condition after being thrown into a crocodile enclosure at a family zoo in Huntingdonshire. The incident occurred at Johnson's of Old Hurst zoo on Thursday afternoon.
Emergency services were called at approximately 1:24 PM following reports that a young boy had entered the crocodile pen. The child was rescued from the animals and rushed to Addenbrooke's Hospital with serious injuries. He remains in a critical but stable condition.
Arrest Made
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Detectives from the major crime unit are investigating the incident. Detective Inspector Verity McCann stated: "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 providing support to the boy's family at the hospital.
Crocodile Species Unknown
The species and number of crocodiles involved have not been publicly disclosed. Saltwater crocodiles, known as salties, are the largest of the crocodilian family. They are known to target humans for food in the wild and possess one of the strongest bite forces of any living animal.
The investigation is ongoing.
