An investigation has been launched into the care of a man arrested after a three-year-old boy was allegedly thrown into a zoo’s crocodile enclosure and left with serious injuries.
Zoo and farm shop Johnsons of Old Hurst in Cambridgeshire, said in a social media post that they were “alerted to reports that a child had allegedly been thrown into one of our crocodile enclosures” on 18 June.
The boy’s parents recently said they have been “living at the hospital” and that their son has undergone five surgeries after being attacked by at least one of the reptiles.
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and was later bailed as police said he was “assessed as not being fit for interview”.
The suspect in the case reportedly has learning difficulties and had been on a trip with carers.
Norfolk County Council, which did not provide any care for the man, said an inquiry under Section 42 of the Care Act 2014 has begun.
A Section 42 inquiry is carried out when a council believes that an adult in its area has care and support needs, is experiencing or is at risk of abuse or neglect, and is unable to protect themselves due to those needs.
A spokesperson for the council said: “The individual in question is not receiving any care provided, commissioned nor paid for by Norfolk County Council.
“We can confirm that a Section 42 inquiry is underway. We’re unable to comment further on an ongoing inquiry.”
Cambridgeshire Police said the boy remains in Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge in a “stable condition”, having been “injured by a crocodile”.
Officers were called to the zoo at 1.24pm on 18 June by the ambulance service to reports that a three-year-old boy had suffered serious injuries.
Tracey Johnson, the zoo’s co-owner, reportedly jumped into the enclosure to save the child.
Johnsons of Old Hurst expressed their “heartfelt thanks to the visitors who stepped forward to help, including off-duty paramedics and police officers”.
They said their “calm and immediate actions made a real difference”.
The attraction added: “We are immensely proud of our own staff, who responded without hesitation and did everything they could to help and support the child until the emergency services took over.
“The kindness we have received from our local community and from people across the country has been overwhelming.
“Every message of support, every kind word and every expression of concern has meant a great deal to our family and our team during an incredibly difficult time.”
They continued: “Above all, our thoughts remain with the young boy and his family. We continue to hope and pray for his speedy recovery and ask that they are given the privacy, compassion and support they need at this time.”
It comes the day after the boy’s family issued a statement thanking the staff at the zoo who rescued him.
They added: “We are truly grateful for the public support and well-wishes we have received, as well as to everyone who has been directly involved in our son’s care and recovery in hospital.
“Our attention remains focused on his recovery and supporting him through this extremely challenging and prolonged period of time.”
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