Authorities have apprehended a man on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy was discovered in a crocodile enclosure at a zoo in eastern England. The child sustained severe injuries, as confirmed by local police.
The alarming event took place on Thursday afternoon at the Johnsons of Old Hurst, a family-owned farm and zoo situated in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, according to police reports.
The young boy somehow found himself inside the crocodile enclosure and was subsequently transported to a nearby hospital. As of the latest update, he remains in a critical but stable condition, Cambridgeshire police reported.
A 30-year-old man, who appears to have no prior connection to the child, has been taken into custody on suspicion of attempted murder in relation to this incident, the police stated.
Detective Inspector Verity McCann expressed, “We are currently interviewing individuals who were present at the zoo during this distressing incident to gather more information about what transpired. At this point, we believe the arrested man and the child do not know each other.”
The incident remains under investigation. Â
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.Â
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