A three-year-old boy has been rushed to hospital with critical injuries after a man is believed to have thrown him into a crocodile enclosure at a zoo in Cambridgeshire.
Police were called to the scene at Johnsons of Old Hurst Zoo in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire at around 1:30pm on Thursday following reports a young boy had ended up in the crocodile enclosure and suffered serious injuries.
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk was later arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
The incident took place at Johnsons of Old Hurst Zoo in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, and a man aged 30 from Norfolk has been arrested for attempted murder.
The boy was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge where he is is “critical but stable” condition, while his family are being supported by specialist officers.
The man and child are not believed to be known to each other, the force added.
Huntingdon MP Ben Obese-Jecty said: “I am aware of the incident at Johnson’s of Old Hurst and have been liaising with senior officers at Gold Command who are treating this as a critical incident.
“This is now a live criminal investigation and I would ask people to refrain from speculation online. 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.”
Detective Inspector Verity McCann added: “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.”
