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A ZOO has spoken out after a three-year-old boy was thrown into a crocodile enclosure with a 30-year-old man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
The child was raced to hospital with serious injuries and is said to be in a critical but stable condition.
Officers scrambled to Johnsons of Old Hurst in Huntingdon just before 1.30pm today following reports of a child in the crocodile enclosure.
The victim was rushed to Addenbrooke’s Hospital and police are now treating it as a “critical incident”.
In an act of bravery, the zoo owner’s wife is said to have leapt into the enclosure to save the boy.
Tracey Johnson rescued the tot, who is believed to have suffered a broken arm and pelvis in the shocking incident.
The crocodile enclosure has since been closed until further notice, Johnson’s Zoo confirmed in a statement on social media.
The Cambridgeshire zoo added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the boy and his family”.
The rest of the site will be open as usual, the statement added.
Det Insp 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.”
Local MP Ben Obese-Jecty added: “I am aware of the incident at Johnson’s 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.”
Johnson’s Zoo in Cambridgeshire is a popular family attraction.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/39459437/child-crocodile-enclosure-zoo-air-ambulance/