Child Attacked by Crocodile Critical Two Days On: What We Know

Child attacked by crocodile critical two days on: Here's what we know so far

A family visit to the zoo turned into a living nightmare when a three-year-old boy ended up in a crocodile enclosure and was seriously injured.

Cambridgeshire Police have arrested and bailed a 30-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder, following the incident at Johnsons of Old Hurst near Huntingdon on Thursday.

The toddler was attacked by at least one crocodile, the BBC understands, and was taken to hospital.

Police said the boy remained in a "critical but stable condition" two days after the incident.

Where did this happen?

The zoo at Johnsons of Old Hurst is in the Cambridgeshire village of Old Hurst, north of Huntingdon, and has more than 100 animals including lions and tigers.

The fully licensed site includes a farm, cafe and butcher's shop, which opened 20 years ago, while its crocodile house was built in 2009.

Visitors can see Nile crocodiles, broad-snouted caiman and American alligators, which are kept in a converted barn with metal-fenced, elevated walkways.

Mike Annicelli, 52, lives near the zoo and said the crocodiles were about 15ft (4.5m) below the "raised platform".

A woman who visited on Thursday said the crocodile enclosure included "quite high fences" and said there was "steel mesh fencing" all around the viewing platform.

She said the crocodiles appeared calm and largely motionless during her visit, about 10 minutes before the incident happened.

Who rescued the boy?

Cambridgeshire Police said the boy had been visiting with his family when the incident happened at about lunchtime.

Andy Johnson, who runs the zoo, told the BBC that his wife Tracey jumped into the enclosure to rescue the boy.

Police confirmed that he was pulled out by staff, and said they were working to establish how long he had been in the enclosure.

A friend of the Johnsons, Chris Newman, said he had been told Tracey Johnson was not injured.

"She put herself in immense danger," he said.

"She'd always put her own life at risk to save someone else. She's an extraordinary lady and very brave."

What happened after the incident?

One visitor, who wished to remain anonymous, said she "didn't see the incident itself, but heard the screams" and added that she later saw staff and an air ambulance responding.

Police arrested the man from Norfolk on suspicion of attempted murder.

He has not been named, but officers said he was white-British and they did not believe he knew the child.

The suspect is believed to have learning disabilities and had been on a trip to the zoo with carers.

He was released on bail until 18 September, and police said he was "assessed as not being fit for interview".

People may be considered unfit for interview because of their physical or mental state.

Detectives have been reviewing CCTV and interviewing zoo staff as witnesses.

Ambulances and the Magpas Air Ambulance attended and treated the child at the scene, before he was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital.

"Specially trained officers are at the hospital supporting the boy's family," police said.

They added that the crocodiles had not been seized or killed.

A spokesperson for Johnsons said on Thursday their thoughts and prayers were with the boy and his family.

The site's Tropical House, which contains the crocodile enclosure, was closed "out of respect to the family".

What have the authorities said?

Charlotte Lowe, who represents Old Hurst on Huntingdonshire District Council and Cambridgeshire County Council, said she was shocked.

"To have something like this happen here is just incredulous," she said.

Darryl Preston, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough's police and crime commissioner, said he had been briefed by Chief Constable Simon Megicks.

"My thoughts go out to the family of the little boy involved in this truly horrific incident," he said.

"I can only begin to imagine the trauma those involved are going through."

The council added it was "not aware of any previous reportable accidents or incidents involving the crocodile enclosure" and that "no other safety-related incidents have been recorded through the zoo licensing process".

It said its environmental health team was in touch with the zoo managers and would "consider whether any further inspection or follow-up action is required".