Zoo owner’s wife ‘jumped into crocodile enclosure’ to save three-year-old boy in England

A zoo owner’s wife jumped into a crocodile enclosure to try to save a seriously injured three-year-old boy who was allegedly thrown in by a stranger.

Officers arrested a man on suspicion of attempted murder after being called to Johnson’s of Old Hurst, in Huntingdonshire, at 1.24pm on Thursday to “reports of an incident involving a three-year-old boy, during which he ended up in the crocodile enclosure”, Cambridgeshire Police said.

A villager who did not want to be named told the Press Association that the zoo owner’s wife, Tracey Johnson, jumped in to try to save the child.

And a local told The Sun: “Apparently, the wife of the zoo owner, Tracey Johnson, jumped in to the enclosure to save the child.”

The boy was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge with serious injuries and is critical but stable, the force added.

A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, police said.

Detective Inspector 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.”

In a statement on social media, Johnson’s said that “out of respect to the family” Tropical House will remain closed until further notice.

They added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the boy and his family following the incident that occurred today.”

An ambulance, a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance officer vehicle and an air ambulance were sent to the scene, the ambulance service said.

A uniformed police officer was at an entrance to the site on Thursday evening, with a marked police car parked in the car park.

The zoo is off a leafy rural lane with residential properties along it in the village of Old Hurst, with a tea room, farm shop and steakhouse also at the site.

The zoo is home to more than 100 animals, including lions, tigers, sloth bears, capybaras, and meerkats.

The crocodiles are kept inside a tropical house building in a converted cattle shed, and there are also other animals in outdoor enclosures.

A blog post on the zoo’s website says the crocodiles were initially kept to help dispose of waste meat from the butchery, but they went on to be the start of a zoo.

The Johnson family has cared for and been involved with crocodiles for the last two decades and Andy Johnson, who is the current owner, has participated in composing a “European published dossier on the farming, welfare and husbandry of crocodilians”, according to the zoo’s website.

Mike Annicelli, 52, who lives close to the zoo, said he had previously visited the attraction and had felt safe.

Describing the crocodile enclosure, he said: “Everything is elevated, you’re far away from the animals.”

He said there was a “raised platform” and estimated the crocodiles were about 15ft below and that there was fencing along walkways which he estimated was around 4ft high.

Local councillor Charlotte Lowe said she “can’t fathom” how the boy ended up in the crocodile enclosure.

Speaking outside the attraction on Thursday evening, the Huntingdonshire District Council councillor for Warboys ward said: “I can’t fathom how it’s happened because they’ve got all the right protection and safety equipment, for want of a better word, in there.”

She continued: “This incident, I think it’s shocked an awful lot of people, especially the locals.”

Ben Obese-Jecty, the MP for Huntingdon, said: “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.”

Alastair Torrance, deputy chairman of Old Hurst Parish Council, said: “I do feel enormously for the family of the child.

“It must’ve been absolutely terrible for the child and the family.”

A spokesperson for Huntingdonshire District Council said: “We are aware of the serious incident that has taken place today at Johnson’s of Old Hurst.

“Our thoughts are with the young boy and his family at this very difficult time.

“We are working closely with partners, including Cambridgeshire Police.

“We urge people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding this incident while inquiries are ongoing.”