Additional Coverage:
A three-year-old boy was urgently hospitalized after being thrown into a crocodile enclosure at Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. A 30-year-old man has been taken into custody in connection with the incident.
Police responded to the scene at 1:24 p.m. local time on Thursday following reports that the toddler had ended up inside the crocodile enclosure. The boy sustained injuries from a crocodile attack and was rushed to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. He is currently in serious but stable condition.
Cambridgeshire Police Detective Inspector Verity McCann said authorities are actively speaking with witnesses present at the zoo to gather more information about the circumstances of the distressing event. Investigators do not believe the suspect and the child knew each other prior to the incident.
Huntingdon Member of Parliament Ben Obese-Jecty acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating that senior officers are treating this as a critical incident. He urged the public to avoid speculation and expressed his sympathy for the boy and his family during this difficult time.
The 30-year-old suspect has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, and police continue to provide support to the family. Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo has been contacted for comment.