A zoo owner’s wife allegedly leapt into a crocodile enclosure to save a three-year-old boy who was thrown in.
A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder – Cambridgeshire Constabulary do not believe the two ‘are known to each other’.
Tracey Johnson who runs the zoo with her husband Andy helped rescue the boy who has been left in a critical condition.
Officers scrambled to Johnsons of Old Hurst in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, just before 1.30pm after the toddler was thrown into the enclosure, the force said.
The boy was rushed to Addenbrooke’s Hospital with serious injuries and is in a ‘critical but stable’ condition.
‘Apparently, the wife of the owner, Tracey Johnson, jumped in to the enclosure to save the child,’ a local told the Sun.
A heavy police presence was visible at the zoo after the ‘hugely traumatic’ incident. Specially trained officers are currently supporting the boy’s family at the hospital.
One worker, who was not present at the time of the incident, said staff were being asked to remain in the premises while investigations were underway.
Detective Inspector Verity McCann said: ‘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 supporting the boy’s family at hospital, and our thoughts remain with them.’
An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman said: ‘We dispatched an ambulance, a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance officer vehicle and the Magpas air ambulance to the scene.
‘A child was transported by road to hospital for further care.’
Ben Obese-Jecty, the Conservative MP for Huntingdon, said: ‘I am aware of the incident at Johnsons of Old Hurst and have been liaising with senior officers at Gold Command who are treating this as a critical incident.
‘This is now a live criminal investigation, and I would ask people to refrain from speculation online. The police will provide an update with further information in due course.’
‘My thoughts are with the young victim and his family during a hugely traumatic and difficult time.’
Local councillor Charlotte Lowe said she ‘can’t fathom’ how a three-year-old boy ended up in a crocodile enclosure at Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo.
The Warboys ward councillor said: ‘I can’t fathom how it’s happened because they’ve got all the right protection and safety equipment, for want of a better word, in there.’
She continued: ‘This incident, I think it’s shocked an awful lot of people, especially the locals.’
A uniformed police officer was at an entrance to the site on Thursday evening, with a marked police car parked in the car park.
A neighbour of a zoo where a three-year-old boy ended up in a crocodile enclosure described hearing a ‘lot of sirens’, then an air ambulance arriving.
The man, who asked not to be named, said the incident at Johnsons of Old Hurst in Cambridgeshire was ‘shocking’.
Mike Annicelli, 52, who also lives close to the zoo, said he had previously visited the attraction and had felt safe.
Describing the crocodile enclosure, he said: ‘Everything is elevated, you’re far away from the animals.’
He said there was a ‘raised platform’ and estimated the crocodiles were about 15ft below, with 4ft high fencing encompassing the walkway.
‘Because of the way that railing’s set up it would be hard for a kid to climb over it, like a small kid,’ he said.
Johnsons of Old Hurst is a family-owned zoo with a farm shop, tea room and steakhouse.
It describes itself as ‘a working farm and zoo with tropical gardens located in the heart of the countryside’.
The zoo houses more than 100 animals, ‘from majestic African lions and Bengal tigers to incredible crocodiles, delightful sloth bears and many more’.
The facility also boasts 12.5 acres of woodland and 320 acres of permanent pasture, which serve as home to their cattle and deer.
The zoo is run by fourth-generation farmer Andy Johnson and his wife Tracey, who have two sons, George and Edward.
He became fascinated with crocodilians during a trip to Florida and adopted several from a private collector.
The site now has a collection of crocodiles and alligators, which are primarily used to dispose of waste meat.
The crocodiles and alligators are housed in a former cattle shed by Mr Johnson, who once said he planned to be fed to the animals when he dies.
The zoo has cared for and been involved with crocodiles for two decades.
