Boy, 3, Critical After Incident at Crocodile Zoo Enclosure; Man Arrested
Key Point: A three-year-old boy is in critical but stable condition following an incident at a crocodile enclosure in Cambridgeshire. A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
The Incident
The incident occurred at approximately 1:00 p.m. local time on June 18, 2026, at Johnsons of Old Hurst, a family-run farm and zoo in Old Hurst, Cambridgeshire.
Emergency services responded to reports of the event. The boy sustained serious injuries and was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital for treatment. He remains in critical but stable condition.
The boy was located inside the zoo's crocodile enclosure. The enclosure featured a raised walkway above an open crocodile pool, surrounded by metre-high fencing. The zoo’s collection includes saltwater crocodiles, Nile crocodiles, American alligators, and spectacled caimans.
Arrest and Bail
Police arrested a 30-year-old man at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder.
Quote: Detective Inspector Verity McCann of Cambridgeshire Police stated that the arrested man and the child are not believed to be known to each other.
The man was assessed as not fit for interview at the time of arrest. He has been released on bail until September 18, 2026, pending further inquiries. An investigation into the circumstances remains ongoing.
Rescue
Multiple sources report that the child was rescued by zoo staff. One witness statement described Tracey Johnson, wife of the zoo owner, entering the enclosure to assist the child.
The same witness reported that the child suffered injuries consistent with a fall but had not been bitten by the crocodile.
Responses
A spokesperson for Johnsons of Old Hurst expressed support for the boy and his family.
The zoo announced the closure of its Tropical House, where the crocodiles were housed, until further notice. The rest of the zoo site remains open.
Local MP Charlotte Lowe commented on the incident, urging the public to refrain from speculation due to the ongoing criminal investigation.