Attempted murder arrest after boy, three, ends up in crocodile enclosure at zoo

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy ended up in a crocodile enclosure at a zoo.

Officers were called to Johnson’s of Old Hurst, in Huntingdonshire, at 1.24pm on Thursday to “reports of an incident involving a three-year-old boy, during which he ended up in the crocodile enclosure”, Cambridgeshire Police said.

The boy was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge with serious injuries and is critical but stable, the force added.

A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, police said.

Detective Inspector Verity 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.

“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.”

In a statement on social media, Johnson’s said that “out of respect to the family” Tropical House will remain closed until further notice.

They added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the boy and his family following the incident that occurred today.”

An ambulance, a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance officer vehicle and an air ambulance were sent to the scene, the ambulance service said.

A uniformed police officer was at an entrance to the site on Thursday evening, with a marked police car parked in the car park.

The zoo is off a leafy rural lane with residential properties along it in the village of Old Hurst, with a tea room, farm shop and steakhouse also at the zoo site.

The zoo is home to more than 100 animals, including lions, tigers, sloth bears, capybaras, and meerkats.

The crocodiles are kept inside a tropical house building in a converted cattle shed, and there are also other animals in outdoor enclosures.

Published: 18/06/2026 by Radio NewsHub