A 30-year-old man from Norfolk who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy wound up inside a crocodile enclosure at a zoo has been released on bail - not because he's innocent, but because police say he's not in a fit state to be questioned. One can only imagine what kind of day he's having.
Cambridgeshire police responded to Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo in Huntingdonshire at 1:24 p.m. on Thursday following reports that a toddler had somehow found himself sharing space with the resident reptiles. Zoo staff pulled the boy to safety, and he was rushed to Addenbrooke's hospital in Cambridge with serious injuries. He remains in critical but stable condition.
The man, who police say is not known to the victim, has been bailed until September 18 while detectives from the major crimes unit continue their investigation. DI Verity McCann said, "Our inquiries are ongoing as we continue to understand the circumstances surrounding this distressing incident."
A local villager told PA Media that the zoo owner's wife, Tracey Johnson, jumped into the enclosure to rescue the child. The Johnsons posted on social media that their "thoughts and prayers are with the boy and his family" and that the tropical house would remain closed out of respect.
The zoo's website boasts "over 100 fascinating animals," including African lions, Bengal tigers, and crocodiles. The two largest crocodiles are apparently named Romeo and Cuddles - which, in hindsight, might be giving visitors the wrong idea about their temperament.
Huntingdonshire district councillor Charlotte Lowe said she "can't fathom" how the boy ended up in the enclosure, noting that the zoo has "all the right protection and safety equipment." MP Ben Obese-Jecty called it a "critical incident" and urged the public to refrain from speculation online. Because if there's one thing the internet is known for, it's restraint.