A young child, aged three, was urgently taken to the hospital with severe injuries after reportedly being thrown into a crocodile enclosure by a man at a zoo in Cambridgeshire. The incident occurred at Johnsons of Old Hurst Zoo in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, around 1:30 pm on Thursday, prompting a police response due to the child’s critical injuries.

Following the incident, a 30-year-old man from Norfolk was apprehended on suspicion of attempted murder. The injured boy was swiftly transported to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, where he remains in critical but stable condition, receiving support from specialized officers for his family.

Authorities stated that the man and the child are not acquainted, as per Cambridgeshire Constabulary. The incident is being treated as a live criminal investigation, with Huntingdon MP Ben Obese-Jecty emphasizing the critical nature of the situation and urging the public to refrain from spreading unverified information online.

Detective Inspector Verity McCann mentioned that efforts are underway to gather information from witnesses present at the zoo during the distressing event to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident. The boy’s family is being assisted by officers at the hospital, with condolences extended to them during this challenging time.

Johnsons of Old Hurst, known for its diverse offerings including a butchers, farm shop, tea room, steakhouse, and zoo, expressed solidarity with the affected family and announced the temporary closure of their Tropical House out of respect. The zoo, home to over 100 animals including crocodiles, lions, and tigers, remains operational with enhanced safety measures.

Local residents expressed shock over the incident, emphasizing the zoo’s safety measures, while authorities continue to investigate the circumstances leading to the child’s entry into the crocodile enclosure. Councillor Charlotte Lowe highlighted the community’s disbelief at the incident, underscoring the stringent safety protocols in place at the zoo.