Key facts
- A 30-year-old man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy entered a crocodile enclosure has been released on bail.
- The boy sustained critical injuries and is in stable condition at Addenbrooke's Hospital.
- The arrested man was deemed unfit for interview by police.
- The incident occurred at Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo in central England.
- The zoo's Tropical House will remain closed until further notice.
British police have released a man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy ended up in a zoo's crocodile enclosure. The 30-year-old man, who is not known to the victim, was assessed as not being fit for interview and has been released on bail until September 18 pending further inquiries.
The boy suffered serious injuries after entering the enclosure at Johnsons of Old Hurst, a family-owned farm and zoo in central England, on Thursday. Staff pulled the child from the enclosure, and he was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital where he is in a critical but stable condition. The zoo, which features more than 100 animals including crocodiles, stated its Tropical House would remain closed until further notice.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the boy and his family," the zoo said in a statement posted on social media. The zoo owner's wife, Tracey Johnson, reportedly jumped into the enclosure to try and save the child.
Local councillor Charlotte Lowe expressed disbelief at how the incident could have occurred given the zoo's safety measures, while MP Ben Obese-Jecty confirmed police are treating it as a critical incident and urged against speculation.