UK3 min(s) read
Published 10:10 19 Jun 2026 GMT
Police have released a man who was arrested after a three-year-old boy was seriously injured when he entered a crocodile enclosure at a zoo in Cambridgeshire, UK.
The incident happened on Thursday afternoon at Johnsons Zoo near Huntingdon. Emergency services rushed to the scene, and the child was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital with critical injuries.
Initially, officers arrested a 30-year-old man from Norfolk on suspicion of attempted murder. However, authorities later released him while investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident continue, per the BBC.
Detective Inspector Verity McCann said: "Our enquiries are ongoing as we continue to understand the circumstances surrounding this distressing incident."
She added: "Our thoughts remain with the boy, and his family and specialist officers continue to support them through this difficult time."
Police have stated that they do not believe the arrested man and the child knew each other.
Investigators are still working to determine exactly how the boy ended up inside the enclosure at the zoo's Tropical House, where visitors can observe multiple crocodile species from an elevated viewing platform.
According to reports, several crocodiles were present in the water at the time of the incident. It is understood that Tracey Johnson, the zoo owner's wife, may have entered the enclosure to help rescue the child.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the boy's injuries resulted from contact with the crocodiles or from the fall into the enclosure itself.
Det Insp McCann 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."
She added: "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."
Following the incident, Johnsons Zoo announced that its Tropical House attraction would remain closed.
In a statement, the zoo said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the boy and his family following the incident that occurred today."
Witness Pete Lewis praised the quick response of staff and bystanders, suggesting their actions may have prevented even more serious injuries.
"I did see the boy being carried out," Lewis told The Telegraph. "It appeared that staff or members of the public had gone into the enclosure to rescue the boy and almost certainly prevented further injury."
He recalled hearing urgent calls for assistance after someone entered a nearby tea room reporting that a child had "fallen into the crocodile water."
"Next thing we knew, staff were coming from all directions and a truck or a buggy was rushing around," Lewis said. "Then a guy carried the poor lad out and put him on a trailer to administer first aid."
Police investigations into the incident remain ongoing.
