Zoo owner’s wife ‘jumped into crocodile pit to save boy after stranger threw him in’

A man, 30, from Norfolk, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy was allegedly thrown into a crocodile enclosure at Johnsons of Old Hurst near Huntingdon

The wife of a zoo owner reportedly jumped into a crocodile enclosure to save a three-year-old boy after a stranger allegedly threw him into it.

Tracey Johnson is believed to have helped rescue the boy who has suffered serious injuries, but is now in a stable condition in hospital, reports the Sun. A man, 30, from Norfolk, has since been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. The suspect is said to have been on a day trip at Johnsons of Old Hurst near Huntingdon when the incident unfolded before 1.30pm.

Police said they don’t believe the pair are known to each other. A villager claimed staff were crying and hugging each other after the incident, adding: “It’s simply awful.” Amelia Foster, who was visiting with her partner and boy said she was guided to the exit, adding: “The police, ambulance service and staff handled everything exceptionally well.”

In a statement on social media, Johnson’s said the Tropical House will remain closed until further notice. The statement said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the boy and his family following the incident that occurred today.

“Out of respect to the family, our Tropical House will remain closed until further notice. If you have any questions about the incident, please direct enquiries to Cambridgeshire Police Constabulary. The rest of the site will remain open as normal. Thank you.”

Det Insp Verity McCann, from Cambridgeshire Police, said: “At this stage we are speaking to people who were at the zoo at the time of this distressing incident to understand more about the circumstances.

“We do not believe the man arrested and the child are known to each other. Officers are supporting the boy’s family at hospital, and our thoughts remain with them.”

Mike Annicelli, 52, who lives close to the zoo, said he had previously visited the attraction and had felt safe. Describing the crocodile enclosure, he said: “Everything is elevated, you’re far away from the animals.”

He said there was a “raised platform” and estimated the crocodiles were about 15ft below and that there was fencing along walkways which he estimated was around 4ft high.

A force spokesperson said: “The boy has been taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital (in Cambridge) with serious injuries and is critical but stable. Specially-trained officers are at the hospital supporting the boy’s family.

“A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.”

Speaking outside the attraction on Thursday evening, the Huntingdonshire District Council councillor for Warboys ward said: “I can’t fathom how it’s happened because they’ve got all the right protection and safety equipment, for want of a better word, in there.”

The zoo has featured on ITV’s Britain’s Tiger Kings with Ross Kemp.

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