Boy, 3, thrown into croc pit ‘by man with learning difficulties’ – as suspect, 30, ‘not fit to be quizzed by cops’
A THREE-year-old boy was allegedly thrown into a crocodile pit by a man with learning difficulties who police say cannot be interviewed.
The man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after the horrific incident yesterday lunchtime, which left the child in a critical condition.
Police have now confirmed the man is not fit to be quizzed by officers and he has been released on bail until September 18.
The suspect was on a day trip to Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, and was not known to the boy.
He was reportedly with a carer but they weren’t watching him when the boy was thrown over the 4ft enclosure fence, according to a local.
The tot was rushed to hospital where he remains in a critical but stable condition having reportedly broken his pelvis and arm in the fall.
A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Constabulary said: “A 30-year-old man from Norfolk, arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, has been released on bail while detectives from our Major Crime Unit conduct further enquiries regarding this incident.
“The man, who is not known to the victim, was assessed as not being fit for interview.”
Thanks to the bravery of the zoo owner’s wife Tracey Johnson, who jumped in the enclosure, the child was rescued before disaster struck.
The local said: “Apparently, the wife of the zoo owner, Tracey Johnson, jumped in to the enclosure to save the child.”
They added that reportedly “the boy has a broken pelvis and a broken arm, but thankfully the crocodile didn’t actually get to him.
“Someone was able to jump in and get him out of the water.
“It could have been so much worse, but he’s obviously got some really serious injuries from the fall.
“None of the injuries were from the crocodiles, thank God.”
A villager said they saw tearful staff hugging each other after the incident, adding: “It’s simply awful.”
Visitor Amelia Foster said she, her partner and son were guided to the exit, adding: “The police, ambulance service and staff handled everything exceptionally well.”
The zoo’s stars are Nile crocodiles, which can grow to 16ft.
Mike Annicelli, 52, who lives nearby, and has visited with his kids, said: “Some areas have plastic glass to look through.
“There is also 4ft fencing around the walkway so it is impossible for people to fall in accidentally.
“It felt very safe. There was a 15ft drop to the crocodiles. Staff were also keeping an eye out.”
Following the incident at 1.30pm yesterday the zoo released a statement from Tracey and her husband Andy.
They said their “thoughts and prayers are with the boy and his family”.
It added: “Out of respect, our tropical house will remain closed until further notice. The rest of the site will remain open.”
Cambridgeshire Police Det Insp Verity McCann said: “Our enquiries are ongoing as we continue to understand the circumstances surrounding this distressing incident.
“Our thoughts remain with the boy, and his family and specialist officers continue to support them through this difficult time.”
East of England Ambulance Service said an air ambulance was called to the scene but the boy was taken by road to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.
Local Tory MP Ben Obese-Jecty said the police investigation was being treated as a critical incident.
The zoo is set in 12.5 acres of woodland and 320 acres of permanent pasture.
It houses more than 100 animals from lions and tigers to cattle and deer. It became Britain’s first crocodile farm in 2006.
Andy fell in love with alligators on a trip to Florida and adopted several from a private collector.
The zoo has featured on ITV’s Britain’s Tiger Kings with Ross Kemp.
Crocs live in the tropical house, an old cow shed, and are primarily used to dispose of livestock.
Two large pools contain Nile crocodiles and Siamese crocodiles with names such as Cuddles, Kisses and Romeo.
There are also areas for alligators and caimans.
Andy told in 2019 how it should have been “lights out” after his head was caught in Romeo’s mouth as he tried to stop a fight.
But Romeo chose not to snap its jaws.
