The owners of a zoo where a three-year-old boy was injured in a crocodile enclosure have praised the “incredible speed and determination” of those who helped him.
Johnsons of Old Hurst, in Cambridgeshire, said in a social media post they were “alerted to reports that a child had allegedly been thrown into one of our crocodile enclosures” on June 18.
“Everyone who was on site that day acted with incredible speed and determination,” the post on Instagram said.
“Within minutes of the first radio call, the child had been rescued from the enclosure and was receiving first aid.
“The emergency services arrived very quickly, supported by the MAGPAS Air Ambulance, and we cannot thank them enough for their professionalism, compassion and dedication in such difficult circumstances.”
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following the incident 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.
Police said the boy remains in Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge in a “stable condition”, having been “injured by a crocodile” after he ended up in the enclosure.
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.
“Thank you for standing with us.
“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.”
The message was signed off: “The Johnsons.”
In a statement released through police on Wednesday, the boy’s family said they wished to “thank the staff at the zoo who rescued our son from the enclosure”.
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.”
Police were called to the zoo at 1.24pm by the ambulance service to reports that a three-year-old boy had suffered serious injuries.
Cambridgeshire Police said the boy “sustained serious injuries while in the enclosure” and “was pulled out by staff from the zoo”.
Tracey Johnson, the zoo’s co-owner, reportedly jumped into the enclosure to save the child.
A fundraising page set up to support the boy’s recovery and rehabilitation, as well as to provide the family with financial stability while they support him in hospital, said he had undergone “multiple surgeries”.
The fundraising page can be found at www.gofundme.com/f/helping-the-family-of-3yr-old-injured-in-crocodile-enclosure.
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