The family of a three-year-old boy who was seriously injured after ending up in a crocodile enclosure at Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo near Huntingdon has released a statement thanking the staff who rescued him. The boy, from Cambridgeshire, was attacked by at least one crocodile on 18 June and was “pulled out by staff from the zoo”, police said. He remains at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in a stable condition after undergoing “multiple surgeries”, and faces “a long road to recovery”, Cambridgeshire Police said.
In a statement, the boy’s family said: “We would like to thank the staff at the zoo who rescued our son from the enclosure. We are truly grateful for the public support and well-wishes we have received, as well as to everyone who has been directly involved in our son’s care and recovery in hospital. Our attention remains focused on his recovery and supporting him through this extremely challenging and prolonged period of time.”
“The family of a three-year-old boy seriously injured in a crocodile enclosure has thanked staff who rescued him.”
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder but was later bailed after being “assessed as not being fit for interview”, Cambridgeshire Police said. The Tropical House, a converted cattle barn where the crocodiles are kept, was closed following the incident but reopened last week. The zoo confirmed in a social media post that its “whole site will be fully open” on Saturday, nine days after the boy was allegedly thrown in the pit.
A fundraising page has been set up to assist with the boy’s recovery and rehabilitation, as well as to support his family. The organiser praised the “extraordinary bravery and quick actions of those nearby”, noting that “the little boy was rescued by the zoo owners and rushed to hospital in a critical condition”. Any surplus funds will be directed towards charities within the Addenbrooke’s Trust.
Meanwhile, an investigation has been launched after the medical records of the boy were accessed by around 40 members of hospital staff. Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) has referred itself to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and is investigating whether all the staff members had a legitimate reason for viewing his information. The Department of Health and Social Care said it is also investigating.