Horror at Zoo: Carers Probed for ‘Bundling Suspect into Car and Fleeing’ After Disabled Man Allegedly Hurls 3-Year-Old Boy into Crocodile Pit
A shocking incident at a family-run zoo in Cambridgeshire has left a three-year-old boy fighting for recovery after he was allegedly thrown into a crocodile enclosure, sparking a major police investigation and scrutiny over the care provided to the suspect.
The horrifying event unfolded on June 18 at Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo near Huntingdon, a popular attraction featuring over 100 animals, including more than a dozen crocodiles in its Tropical House. The young boy, visiting with his mother and younger sibling, was reportedly lifted over a safety fence and hurled approximately 15 feet into the pit containing at least 15 crocodiles. He landed on a concrete walkway before being attacked by at least one of the reptiles, believed to be a Nile or saltwater crocodile.
The child suffered severe injuries, including a broken arm and pelvis. He was quickly rescued by heroic zoo staff, with co-owner Tracey Johnson reportedly jumping into the enclosure to pull him to safety, followed by her husband Andy and their son Edward. Emergency services, including the MAGPAS Air Ambulance, responded rapidly, and the boy was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. As of early July, he had undergone five surgeries and faces at least two more, along with a long rehabilitation process. A fundraising page supporting his family has raised over £25,000.
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk, who has learning disabilities and was not known to the victim, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder shortly after the incident. He was accompanied by two carers during the zoo visit. Witnesses described the carers as being on their phones and around 10 meters behind the suspect when the alleged act occurred. Police deemed him unfit for interview due to his condition and released him on bail until September.
In a disturbing development, Norfolk County Council has launched a Section 42 safeguarding inquiry into the care provided to the suspect amid concerns of potential neglect. Reports indicate that shortly after the incident, as zoo owners were rescuing the boy, the carers attempted to bundle the suspect into a car and leave the scene. Zoo staff intervened to prevent their departure. The council has paused referrals to the involved care provider and is reviewing support for other individuals under their care.
The zoo owners praised the swift response of staff and emergency services, describing the event as one of the most distressing in the business’s history. Originally a dairy farm, Johnsons of Old Hurst expanded to include a zoo with crocodiles initially kept for waste disposal from their butchery operations. The Tropical House remains closed while investigations continue, though the rest of the site has reopened.
Cambridgeshire Police’s Major Crimes Unit is examining CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses. Detectives emphasize that the suspect and victim were strangers. The incident has raised broader questions about supervision of vulnerable adults in public spaces and zoo safety protocols. The boy’s family expressed deep gratitude for public support amid their ordeal, highlighting the unimaginable trauma they continue to face.
This tragic case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in care systems and the need for heightened vigilance in family-friendly environments.
