On 18 June, a three-year-old boy was seriously injured after entering a crocodile enclosure at Johnsons of Old Hurst, a zoo near Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. The boy, who has not been publicly identified, was rescued by zoo staff and rushed to Addenbrooke's Hospital, where he was initially in a critical condition. He has since undergone multiple surgeries and is now stable, but faces a long road to recovery. The family has thanked the staff who rescued their son and asked for privacy as they focus on his recovery.
The incident unfolded at the zoo's Tropical House, a converted cattle barn housing crocodiles among other animals. Police said the boy "ended up in their enclosure" and was "pulled out by staff". A 30-year-old man from Norfolk was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, but was later released on bail after being assessed as unfit for interview. The zoo closed the Tropical House following the attack but reopened it nine days later, with the whole site fully open by 27 June.
“Explains the crocodile enclosure attack at Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo and its aftermath.”
The boy's family released a statement expressing gratitude for the rescue and for public support. A fundraising page has been set up to help with the boy's recovery and rehabilitation, with any surplus funds going to charities within the Addenbrooke's Trust. The page noted the "extraordinary bravery and quick actions of those nearby" and that the boy "faces a long road to recovery".
The incident has also raised concerns about data privacy. Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH), which runs Addenbrooke's, discovered that around 40 members of staff had accessed the boy's medical records. CUH has referred itself to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and is investigating whether all those staff had a legitimate reason for viewing the records. The Department of Health and Social Care has also launched its own investigation.
For UK readers, this case highlights the safety of children at animal attractions. Zoos are generally well-regulated, but incidents can still occur. The arrest of a man on suspicion of attempted murder adds a criminal dimension, suggesting the boy may have been deliberately placed in danger. Meanwhile, the data breach investigation underscores the importance of patient confidentiality even in high-profile cases.
Q: How did the three-year-old boy get into the crocodile enclosure? A: Police have not given full details, but the boy "ended up in their enclosure" and was rescued by zoo staff. A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, indicating that the boy may have been deliberately put inside the enclosure.
Q: What injuries did the boy sustain? A: He was attacked by at least one crocodile and suffered serious injuries requiring multiple surgeries. He remains in Addenbrooke's Hospital in a stable condition but faces a prolonged recovery.
Q: What is being done about the unauthorised access to his medical records? A: Cambridge University Hospitals discovered that about 40 staff had accessed the boy's records. The trust has referred itself to the Information Commissioner's Office and is investigating whether the access was legitimate. The Department of Health and Social Care is also investigating.
The boy remains in hospital with his family by his side. Police investigations continue, and the 30-year-old suspect is on bail. The fundraising page will help support the family's immediate and ongoing needs, while the ICO will determine whether any data protection laws were breached. The zoo has fully reopened, but questions about safety and security remain.