Man arrested after boy, three, injured in Cambridgeshire zoo crocodile enclosure

By Vivian Ho and Nadeem Badshah • June 19, 2026 • UK news

Officers arrest man on suspicion of attempted murder as child is treated in hospital for serious injuries

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy ended up in a crocodile enclosure, Cambridgeshire police said. The force said officers were called to Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo in Huntingdonshire at 1.24pm on Thursday over “reports of an incident involving a three-year-old boy, during which he ended up in the crocodile enclosure”. The boy was taken to Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge with serious injuries and was described by police as being in a critical but stable condition. The force said a 30-year-old man from Norfolk had been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. “We do not believe the man arrested and the child are known to each other,” DI Verity McCann said in a statement. “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.” The force is investigating whether the child was attacked by the animals. The child was allegedly thrown into the zoo’s enclosure, the Times reported. Ben Obese-Jecty, the MP for Huntingdon, said he had been liaising with senior officers, who were treating it as a critical incident. “This is now a live criminal investigation and I would ask people to refrain from speculation online,” he said. “The police will provide an update with further information in due course. My thoughts are with the young victim and his family during a hugely traumatic and difficult time.” In a statement posted on social media, Johnsons said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the boy and his family following the incident that occurred today. “Out of respect to the family, our tropical house will remain closed until further notice. If you have any questions about the incident, please direct inquiries to Cambridgeshire police constabulary. “The rest of the site will remain open as normal.” According to its website, the zoo is home to “over 100 fascinating animals” including African lions, Bengal tigers and crocodiles. The zoo’s two largest crocodiles are called Romeo and Cuddles, the zoo says on its Facebook page. The zoo wrote in celebration of International Crocodile Day on Wednesday: “Crocodilians are at the very core of our history, our passion and the journey that has shaped Johnsons zoological gardens into what it is today. “These incredible animals have inspired generations of our family and continue to fascinate visitors from all over the country.” A spokesperson for the East of England ambulance service said an ambulance, a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance officer vehicle and a Magpas air ambulance attended the scene, adding: “A child was transported by road to hospital for further care.” A spokesperson for Magpas air ambulance, a charity, said a critical care team attended the incident at 13:42 and “treated one patient at the scene before taking them to hospital”. A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire county council said: “Our thoughts are with the victim and their family, but, as this is a live police investigation, we cannot comment any further.”

Source: The Guardian