The family who own Johnson’s of Old Hurst near Huntingdon have been described as “resilient” after they leapt into the crocodile enclosure to save a three-year-old boy
New details have emerged surrounding the rescue of a three-year-old boy who was thrown into a crocodile enclosure at a zoo this week
On Thursday, June 18 police officers were called to the Johnson’s of Old Hurst zoo near Huntingdon at 1.24pm by the ambulance service to reports that a three-year-old boy had suffered serious injuries. The boy, who sustained serious injuries while in the enclosure, was pulled out by staff from the zoo and received medical treatment at the scene before being taken to hospital.
The suspect, a 30-year-old Norfolk man who is not known to the youngster, was released on bail after Cambridgeshire Police officers deemed him “not fit for interview”.
In a statement issued on Facebook, the zoo team announced that the Tropical House would remain shut out of respect to the victim’s family, triggering an outpouring of support for Tracey and her staff from local residents.
The Sunday Times has now revealed that it was not just Tracey Johnson but her husband, Andrew, and one of the couple’s sons, Edward, who jumped into the enclosure to save the child.
Andrew entered the enclosure soon after his wife along with Edward, 29, who is one of two siblings. Together they are understood to have prised the toddler away from the crocodile, before taking him out of the enclosure.
Chris Newman, director of the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, said he spoke to the Johnson family on Friday evening. “We mustn’t underestimate how much of a difference Tracey made,” he said. “She was first in there. She jumped in and dealt with an awful situation. She was then joined by her husband and son. It was a team effort.”
Newman added: “They are a resilient family but they are distraught. Their thoughts and concerns are for the child.”
The newspaper also revealed the boy may have escaped death or further serious injury because the animal that bit him would have been fed a diet of offcuts of livestock, and might not have recognised the child as food.
The identity of the injured toddler has not been disclosed. Cambridgeshire Constabulary said in a statement: “A three-year-old boy from Cambridgeshire remains at Addenbrooke’s hospital in a critical but stable condition following an incident at Johnsons of Old Hurst.
“The boy, who sustained serious injuries while in the [crocodile] enclosure, was pulled out by staff from the zoo and received medical treatment at the scene before being taken to hospital.
“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 inquiries regarding this incident. The man, who is not known to the victim, was assessed as not being fit for interview.”
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.”
The 30-year-old man has been bailed until September 18.
