Boy, 3, was ‘attacked’ by crocodile in pit after being ‘thrown in by man with learning difficulties’ – as suspect bailed
A THREE-year-old boy was attacked by a crocodile after being allegedly thrown into their enclosure by a stranger with learning difficulties.
The 30-year-old suspect was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after the horrific incident yesterday lunchtime, but has already been released from police custody.
Police confirmed today that the man is not fit to be quizzed by officers and he has been bailed until September 18.
The suspect is a “mentally disabled” man who was on a day trip to Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, and was not known to the boy, locals have said.
He was reportedly with at least two carers but they weren’t watching him when the boy was thrown over the 4ft enclosure fence, according to a local.
Without hesitating, the zoo owner’s wife Tracey Johnson, sprinted to the enclosure and leapt over the fence to heroically save the boy from further harm.
The tot was rushed to hospital after being injured by at least one croc and he remains in a critical but stable condition having reportedly broken his pelvis and arm.
One mother on a day out with her own children aged 3 and 2 described hearing a heart-stopping scream.
She said: “We sat there and heard a loud scream. Never in a million years did I think someone was in with the crocodiles.”
Thanks to Tracey’s bravery the child was rescued before disaster struck.
She leapt into the pit while horrified visitors watched on in an act of “exceptional bravery”.
Speaking this morning, Tracey’s close friend Chris Newman said: “Knowing Tracey, it comes as no surprise that she acted this way – that’s exactly what she would do.
“She’s a very courageous and brave lady.
“She’s just a remarkable lady, quite unassuming and very family-oriented.”
Mr Newman, 67, is director of the National Centre for Reptile Welfare and has spent time inside the zoo’s crocodile enclosure.
He said the pit – which contains at least 15 crocs – is very secure and that a child could only have ended in the area if they had been deliberately thrown.
The reptile expert described the venue as “a fantastic zoo” where “public safety is a huge part” of the operation.
Mr Newman added that without Tracey’s heroism the incident could have been “catastrophic”.
He said: “The crocodiles are incredibly well fed, so I wouldn’t expect them to eat a child, but it would bite a child if it landed on it or by it.
“That’s where the trouble would come – they have such a powerful bite. Even an investigatory bite would be catastrophic.”
This morning a resident close to the zoo said: “Tracey and the other staff were incredibly brave.
“They all stayed very calm and she went down into the enclosure and was able to rescue the little boy quickly.”
They added: “Both she and Andy are very experienced and responsible zoo keepers and will both be mortified by what has happened.”
A villager said they saw tearful staff hugging each other after the incident, adding: “It’s simply awful.”
Visitor Amelia Foster said she, her partner and son were guided to the exit, adding: “The police, ambulance service and staff handled everything exceptionally well.”
The zoo’s stars are Nile crocodiles, which can grow to 16ft.
Mike Annicelli, 52, who lives nearby, and has visited with his kids, said: “Some areas have plastic glass to look through.
“There is also 4ft fencing around the walkway so it is impossible for people to fall in accidentally.
“It felt very safe. There was a 15ft drop to the crocodiles. Staff were also keeping an eye out.”
Following the incident at 1.30pm yesterday the zoo released a statement from Tracey and her husband Andy, 56.
They said their “thoughts and prayers are with the boy and his family”.
It added: “Out of respect, our tropical house will remain closed until further notice. The rest of the site will remain open.”
A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Constabulary said: “A 30-year-old man from Norfolk, arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, has been released on bail while detectives from our Major Crime Unit conduct further enquiries regarding this incident.
“The man, who is not known to the victim, was assessed as not being fit for interview.”
Det Insp Verity McCann added: “Our enquiries are ongoing as we continue to understand the circumstances surrounding this distressing incident.
“Our thoughts remain with the boy, and his family and specialist officers continue to support them through this difficult time.”
East of England Ambulance Service said an air ambulance was called to the scene but the boy was taken by road to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.
Local Tory MP Ben Obese-Jecty said the police investigation was being treated as a critical incident.
The zoo is set in 12.5 acres of woodland and 320 acres of permanent pasture.
It houses more than 100 animals from lions and tigers to cattle and deer. It became Britain’s first crocodile farm in 2006.
Andy fell in love with alligators on a trip to Florida and adopted several from a private collector.
The zoo has featured on ITV’s Britain’s Tiger Kings with Ross Kemp.
Crocs live in the tropical house, an old cow shed, and are primarily used to dispose of livestock.
Two large pools contain Nile crocodiles and Siamese crocodiles with names such as Cuddles, Kisses and Romeo.
There are also areas for alligators and caimans.
Andy told in 2019 how it should have been “lights out” after his head was caught in Romeo’s mouth as he tried to stop a fight.
But Romeo chose not to snap its jaws.
