Zoo describes horror when boy attacked by crocodile

The family who own a zoo where a three-year-old boy was seriously injured after ending up in a crocodile enclosure said it was "one of the most distressing incidents in our history".

The boy was attacked by at least one crocodile at Johnsons of Old Hurst near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, on 18 June.

The Johnsons, who own the site, said staff responded to the incident "within minutes of the first radio call", and the child was rescued shortly afterwards and given first aid.

Police have arrested and bailed a 30-year-old man, from Norfolk, on suspicion of attempted murder.

The Johnsons said in a statement on social media: "We would also like to express our heartfelt thanks to the visitors who stepped forward to help, including off-duty paramedics and police officers, whose calm and immediate actions made a real difference."

The boy, who is from Cambridgeshire, was visiting the zoo with his family and was seriously injured "while in the enclosure", Cambridgeshire Police previously said.

The Johnsons said they had received an "overwhelming" amount of kindness from the "local community and from people across the country".

"We are immensely proud of our own staff, who responded without hesitation and did everything they could to help and support the child until emergency services took over," they added.

Chris Newman, the director of the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, previously told the BBC that three members of the Johnson family had entered the enclosure.

Cambridgeshire Police said it was called to the zoo at 13:34 BST following the incident.

The boy's family said on Wednesday: "We would like to thank the staff at the zoo who rescued our son from the enclosure... our attention remains focused on his recovery and supporting him through this extremely challenging and prolonged period of time."

Officers said the boy remained in Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge in a stable condition.

The zoo, which is based at the family-run farm in Old Hurst near Huntingdon, has more than 100 animals, including lions, tigers and meerkats.

Crocodilians first arrived on the farm in 2006 and species now include, broad snouted caiman, Nile crocodiles and American alligator.

The arrested man is believed to have learning disabilities and was on a trip to the zoo with carers.

He is not believed to have known the child.

The man was released on bail until 18 September, and police said he was "assessed as not being fit for interview".

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