The owners of a Cambridgeshire zoo where a toddler was attacked by a crocodile have spoken publicly for the first time since the incident a fortnight ago.
Andy and Tracey Johnson, who operate Johnsons of Old Hurst near Huntingdon, released a statement describing the events of June 18 as among the “most traumatic their family and team have ever faced.”
“A fortnight ago, our family and team at Johnsons of Old Hurst experienced one of the most distressing incidents in our history,” the couple said in a social media post.
They commended everyone present that day for acting with “incredible speed and determination” after receiving reports that a child had allegedly been thrown into one of their crocodile enclosures in the Tropical House.
The three-year-old boy was allegedly hurled approximately 15 feet into the crocodile enclosure within the attraction’s Tropical House by a stranger.
He landed on a concrete walkway below, suffering a broken arm and fractured pelvis from the impact, before ending up in the water where he was injured by one of the reptiles.
The youngster remains at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, where Cambridgeshire Police have confirmed he is in a stable condition.
However, authorities have indicated he faces a lengthy road to recovery, with his family describing the rehabilitation process as “extremely challenging”.
The toddler is in a stable condition
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PA
A fundraising page established to support the boy and his family states he has undergone multiple surgeries since the ordeal.
The Johnsons expressed profound gratitude to the emergency services, including the MAGPAS Air Ambulance, for their swift arrival and professionalism under such difficult circumstances.
“We would also like to express our heartfelt thanks to the visitors who stepped forward to help, including off-duty paramedics and police officers, whose calm and immediate actions made a real difference,” the statement read.
The couple said they were “immensely proud” of their own employees, who acted without hesitation to assist the child until paramedics assumed responsibility.
The child was injured in the crocodile enclosure (stock image)
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REUTERS
Within minutes of the initial radio alert, staff had pulled the boy from the enclosure and begun administering first aid.
Tracey Johnson, 55, the zoo’s co-owner, reportedly entered the enclosure herself to rescue the child.
The couple acknowledged that messages of support from their local community and people across the nation had been “overwhelming” during this difficult period.
“Every message of support, every kind word and every expression of concern has meant a great deal to our family and our team during an incredibly difficult time,” they said. “Thank you for standing with us.”
Andy Johnson, the owner of Johnson’s of Old Hurst
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PAThe Johnsons concluded their statement by asking the public to respect the privacy of the injured boy’s relatives as they focus on his care.
They said: “Above all, our thoughts remain with the young boy and his family. We continue to hope and pray for his speedy recovery and ask that they are given the privacy, compassion and support they need at this time.”
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk was detained on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with the incident.
He was subsequently released on bail until September 18 as detectives continue their investigation.
Crocodiles in an enclosure at Johnsons of Old Hurst (stock image)
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REUTERS
Police stated the suspect was “assessed as not being fit for interview” at the time of his arrest.
The man reportedly has learning difficulties and had been visiting the zoo on a trip with carers when the incident occurred.
Officers believe he has no known connection to the victim.
The zoo’s Tropical House reopened to visitors on Saturday, nine days after the incident, having been closed “out of respect to the family”.
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