Toddler critical after being ‘thrown’ into crocodile pit at zoo and ‘rescued by owner’s wife’ – as man is held for attempted murder of three-year-old

A boy of three was seriously injured after being thrown into a crocodile pit at a zoo yesterday.

The traumatised youngster was taken to hospital after he was dramatically pulled from the enclosure.

Last night witnesses said the little boy’s rescuer was Tracey Johnson, wife of the zoo’s owner Andy Johnson. 

A man of 30 was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Police said they do not believe that the suspect and the victim knew each other. The child was said to be in a critical but stable condition.

The shocking incident took place in front of horrified visitors inside the tropical reptile house at Johnsons of Old Hurst, near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.

The zoo is run by fourth-generation farmer Mr Johnson, his wife and their sons George and Edward.

A zoo spokesman said: ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the boy and his family following the incident that occurred today.’

Police refused to be drawn on how the child ended up in the enclosure, which is a 15ft drop below a walkway, or provide any details about how he was rescued. 

They are understood to be investigating whether the child was attacked by the animals before he was pulled out.

A neighbour of the zoo, who asked not to be named, described hearing a ‘lot of sirens’ then an air ambulance arriving.

Father-of-two Mike Annicelli, 52, who also lives close to the zoo, described the crocodile enclosure, saying: ‘Everything is elevated, you’re far away from the animals.

‘There are some areas which have plastic glass so people can look through – but there is also 4ft fencing around the walkway so it is impossible for people to fall in accidentally.

‘Because of the way that railing’s set up it would be hard for a kid to climb over it, like a small kid.’

One villager said they saw staff at the zoo hugging each other and some were in tears after the incident.

Local councillor Charlotte Lowe, 52, said: ‘I can’t fathom how this happened. There is all sorts of protection at the zoo including perspex screens.

‘The only place where people can get over into the enclosure is the walkways which have fencing around them at chest height.

‘I don’t see how a child could have gone in accidentally.’

Two police cars were parked outside the zoo entrance last night as a uniformed officer stood guard at the main gate just a few yards from the farmhouse home of Mr and Mrs Johnson.

Mr Johnson, 56, became fascinated with crocodilians during a trip to Florida and adopted several from a private collector.

The site now is said to have a collection of around 50 crocodiles and alligators which are mainly used as an environmentally friendly way of getting rid of dead livestock.

The zoo’s website states its tropical house, a converted barn, is home to American alligator, broad-snouted caiman, Cuvier’s dwarf caiman, Morelet’s crocodile, Nile crocodile, saltwater crocodile, Siamese crocodile, spectacled caiman and West African dwarf crocodile. The largest of these species is the saltwater crocodile, which is found between India and Australia, and can grow up to 20ft long and weigh 3,300lbs – half the weight of a large SUV.

About half of the planet’s 23 species of crocodilians are considered dangerous to humans with the Nile crocodile and the saltwater crocodile responsible for the vast majority of human fatalities.

On Wednesday, the zoo marked International Crocodile Day by posting a picture on social media of one of its inhabitants.

The caption read: ‘Crocodilians are at the very core of our history, our passion and the journey that has shaped Johnsons Zoological Gardens into what it is today.

‘These incredible animals have inspired generations of our family and continue to fascinate visitors from all over the country.’

The zoo’s website states that ‘conservation has led our family to have a particular fascination with crocodiles’. 

It adds: ‘We have cared for and been involved with these animals for the past two decades including Andy [Johnson] participating in the composing of a European published dossier on the farming, welfare and husbandry of crocodilians.

‘Crocodile ranching [farming]has been successful in the recovery of the conservation status of many crocodilian species.’

The statement from the zoo added: ‘Out of respect to the family, our Tropical House will remain closed until further notice.’

A Cambridgeshire Constabulary spokesman said: ‘Officers were called to the zoo at 1.24pm to reports of an incident involving a three-year-old boy, during which he ended up in the crocodile enclosure.

‘The boy has been taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital [in Cambridge] with serious injuries and is critical but stable. 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.’

Detective Inspector Verity McCann, of the force’s major crime unit, 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.’

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Darryl Preston has spoken out after a little boy has been left with ‘serious’ injuries after ending up in a crocodile enclosure in Huntingdon. 

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Darryl Preston, has said: ‘My thoughts go out to the family of the little boy involved in this truly horrific incident. I can only begin to imagine the trauma those involved are going through.

‘While I have been fully briefed by the Chief Constable (Simon Megicks, Cambridgeshire Constabulary), I would like to remind everyone that this is an ongoing operational issue and therefore I am not able to comment any further at this stage.’

A Huntingdonshire District Council spokesperson said: ‘We are aware of the serious incident that has taken place today at Johnson’s of Old Hurst.

‘Our thoughts are with the young boy and his family at this very difficult time.

‘We are working closely with partners, including Cambridgeshire Police.

‘We urge people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding this incident while inquiries are ongoing.’

The incident has chilling echoes of an incident at the Tate Modern in London in 2019 when a six-year-old French tourist was hurled from an outdoor viewing platform. He somehow survived the 100ft fall but suffered life-changing injuries.

Disturbed teenager Jonty Bravery was jailed for life with a minimum term of 15 years in 2020 for attempted murder.

He is being held at Broadmoor, a high-security psychiatric hospital in Berkshire.