Man arrested after 3-year-old boy critically injured in crocodile enclosure: Police
A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a 3-year-old boy wound up in a crocodile enclosure at a zoo in eastern England, suffering serious injuries, according to police.
The "distressing incident" occurred Thursday afternoon at Johnsons of Old Hurst, a family-run farm and zoo located in Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, police said.
The boy "ended up in the crocodile enclosure" and was taken to a local hospital, where he was in critical but stable condition, Cambridgeshire police said.
A 30-year-old man who is an apparent stranger to the child has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with the incident, 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," Det. Insp. Verity McCann said in a statement. "We do not believe the man arrested and the child are known to each other."
The incident remains under investigation.
Huntingdon Member of Parliament Ben Obese-Jecty said his "thoughts are with the young victim and his family during a hugely traumatic and difficult time."
"This is now a live criminal investigation and I would ask people to refrain from speculation online," he said in a statement on social media.
Johnsons of Old Hurst said its tropical house, which is home to multiple species of crocodiles and other reptiles, will remain closed until further notice "out of respect to the family."
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the boy and his family following the incident that occurred today," Johnsons of Old Hurst said in a statement on social media Thursday.
