Credited from: CBSNEWS
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been charged with attempted murder after a three-year-old boy was critically injured in the crocodile enclosure of Johnsons of Old Hurst, a family-run zoo near Huntingdon. The incident occurred on Thursday, prompting immediate police presence, with the boy taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, where he is described as being in a critical but stable condition, according to SCMP, BBC, and CBS News.
Cambridgeshire Police responded to the incident at approximately 13:24 BST. They are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the event and whether the boy was attacked by the crocodiles, though they have indicated that the man arrested and the child are not believed to be known to each other, as confirmed by Detective Inspector Verity McCann, according to SCMP and BBC.
Officials from Johnsons of Old Hurst expressed their condolences, stating that "out of respect to the family, our Tropical House will remain closed until further notice." Reports have indicated that a range of emergency services responded to the scene, reflecting the seriousness of the incident, as detailed by BBC and CBS News.
Local officials, including Huntingdon MP Ben Obese-Jecty, have shared their support for the boy and his family during this traumatic time, highlighting the need for a thorough investigation as authorities continue to gather testimonies from witnesses who were at the zoo during the incident, as noted by BBC and CBS News.